How Senior Living Communities Make Summertime Safe & Social

Many older adults choose senior living for its convenience. The maintenance-free lifestyle allows more time for doing the things they love. And with summer in full swing, senior living residents are enjoying their best lives in thriving and supportive environments with so many options for seasonal fun. Keep reading to learn more about how senior living communities like Southview make summertime safe and social for residents.

Summer Safety

For seniors, one of the biggest safety concerns during the summer is sun exposure. Overexposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can cause a range of issues, including cataracts and premature skin aging.

And it increases the risk of developing skin cancer, which is the most diagnosed cancer for ages 65 and older. This is due to age-related changes to the skin as well as older adults having spent more cumulative time in the sun.

So, we take precautionary steps to ensure our Southview Senior Living residents are safer and better protected in the summer.

Scheduling around peak sun hours. The sun is at its most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. When our Southview staff plans outdoor activities, we aim for early morning or late afternoon/early evening to avoid those midday UV rays. We also encourage residents to take advantage of shaded areas to stay cool and shielded from the sun.

Water reminders. When participating in outdoor activities, we make sure residents have access to bottled water. Many bring their own refillable bottles. And the Southview staff reminds residents to stay hydrated, even if they don’t feel thirsty, since the sensation of thirst diminishes with age.

General safety and medication awareness. As always, we recommend residents wear SPF 30 sunscreen and reapply every few hours. For those who need extra sun protection, we always recommend hats, sunglasses, and clothing that covers arms and legs.

Additionally, some medications can make residents more sensitive to the sun. Our staff is aware of these instances and makes necessary modifications to ensure resident comfort and safety.

Summertime Socializing

Each one of our Southview properties has an extensive calendar of events, filled with a variety of daily activities. We want to make sure residents have plenty of options to learn, make friends, discover new hobbies or hidden talents, and live their best lives. Above all, we want everyone to feel included, comfortable, and right at home.

And because we understand the importance of social connections, especially for seniors, we ensure residents have plenty of opportunities to build and maintain those bonds.

Resident outings. Many of our residents sign up to go on group outings to grab lunch, go shopping, or take in a stage play. During the warmer months, residents visit places like the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul, the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, or local lakes and rivers for pontoon or paddleboat excursions.

Community gardening. Whether they have a green thumb or simply want to try something new, residents have the chance to plant and grow flowers, plants, and vegetables during the summer. Our community gardens incorporate raised beds, so there’s no need to bend or kneel. And these gardens can easily accommodate wheelchairs or rolling walkers for even more convenience and safety.

This activity provides a low-impact workout while allowing residents to connect with nature and one another. And watching flowers bloom or enjoying homegrown vegetables are added rewards.

Summer socials. Since warm weather in Minnesota doesn’t last long enough, we make sure to take advantage of every moment. Our Southview communities host regular barbecue events throughout the summer, treating residents to summertime picnics with grilled burgers and a variety of favorite side dishes.

We also have community celebrations for holidays, birthdays, or just-because days. Residents enjoy ice cream socials, live music, Night to Unite, and other large-scale events that encourage participation and socialization.

And when the weather is too hot and sticky to host outdoor fun, residents take refuge in the climate-controlled comfort of our on-campus amenities. Among other events, we have games and activities in our community room, show favorite films in our movie theater, and host happy hour events in our pub.

Enjoy Summer at Southview

Now that you have an idea of how senior living communities make summertime safe and social for residents, you may want to schedule a tour. We would love to show you around any of our locations throughout the Twin Cities. Contact us today and see for yourself how comfortable and easy life can be in our Southview Senior Communities.