Vacations are a great way to break up daily routines and recharge mentally and emotionally. If seniors are restless with their normal activities or feel themselves falling into a rut, then a staycation may be the perfect way for them to do something that captures their imagination without having to worry about physical or financial limitations for travel.
The options of themes for staycations are nearly limitless, with possible topics including sports, crafts, flower viewing or foreign countries. To help inspire seniors to get started planning their own dream trip, here are a few summer staycation ideas they can consider.
Fans of the Old West who live in Broadmoor Court don't have to travel far to explore this fascinating era.
The Ghost Town Museum lets seniors learn about what life in Colorado Springs was like in the past through true-to-life buildings and hands-on activities such as gold panning and butter churning. For more chances to experience history, our residents can consider a visit to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, the McAllister House Museum or the multiple attractions around the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.
By taking along a camera and keeping a journal, seniors can choose to transform simple day trips into a lasting memory they can easily share with family and friends.
Seniors who adore the holidays don't have to wait for December to celebrate. A festive vacation may be just the answer to beating the summer heat and making some fun memories. Participating in these traditional activities can quickly add a holiday flavor to our resident's apartments and make their days feel special.
Put up a tabletop tree or drape some light strands along a bookshelf or windowsill
Get crafty with seasonal projects such as this cheerful village or bow wreath
Listen to Christmas music and invite some friends to go caroling around the community
Watch the Charlie Brown Christmas or other classic movies and cartoons
Make and decorate a microwave sugar cookie
Go ornament shopping at nearby Christmas stores for a souvenir
Explore Santa's Workshop at the North Pole
A visit from grandchildren can be a great time for a senior to host a camp-out inside their assisted living apartment. The kids can help set up a pillow fort with a few chairs and sheets or craft their own campfires with flameless candles and tissue paper. To keep in the camping theme, seniors can prepare a microwave version of mini smores or put together a trail mix out of the nuts, dried fruits or grains that their family prefers.
The internet offers a rich variety of sound apps and YouTube campfire videos that can help bring the feel of nature indoors. Some feature owls or loons in addition to crickets and wind, so seniors can experiment with them ahead of time to find their favorite combination of effects.
