Summer activities for older people in Welwyn garden City

As the temperature rises in summer, it can be hard for elderly people to get out and exercise as the warm weather can make people feel lethargic. However, exercise can help to increase energy levels, so even a small amount is beneficial. Physical exercise doesn’t have to be high-intensity workouts like the gym or a long-distance run, it can be a gentle stroll around the local area. Below, you will find some tips to help keep your loved ones active in the Welwyn Garden City area.

Why is it important to keep exercising as we age?

Regular physical activity can keep your brain healthy and improve mental wellbeing. Help your loved one choose an activity that they enjoy, whether that’s working in the garden, going for a walk around a local park.

Read this article by Age UK explaining the benefits of daily walking https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/exercise/walking-tips-advice/ 

Falls prevention is a huge benefit of regular exercise as it improves the strength and tone of your muscles. Joining a regular exercise class such as pilates or yoga for seniors, means that you can strengthen your core muscles to improve your balance Www.vikkidavisfitness.com

Best summer activities for older people in Welwyn Garden City:

Take a stroll around Stanborough Park and Lakes

Walking is a great way to exercise and you can take it at your own pace. You can make it sociable by joining a local walking group such as the Welwyn Hatfield U3A walking group http://www.u3awelhat.org.uk/groups/strollers.html  Walking is also good for our mental health by clearing the mind

Try some of our favourite local parks around Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield:

Stanborough Park and Lakes (Locals get a reduced parking rate if you log your Car Registration online)

Panshanger Park

Hatfield House and Park (https://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/explore/the-park/woodland-walks/)

Mill Green Museum (https://www.millgreenmuseum.co.uk/ ).

Remember to take a sun hat and bottle of water with you in the hot weather and take a break at one of the cafes or take a picnic to share with the family.

Encourage social time with family and friends

We are sociable beings by nature and socialising with others can boost our mood and mental wellbeing. It’s important to keep our brains active, and social interaction helps us learn and develop. Getting together with younger family members can also boost the mood in the elderly as they can offer guidance and advice and in turn the younger ones can teach them new things too – usually how to get the best out of new technology!

Social interaction also helps to combat loneliness which in turn has a huge impact on mental health and wellbeing.

See the bottom of this blog for Local social events in Welwyn garden City over the summer include.

Family friendly cafes and restaurants that Right at Home team go to with their family and clients include:

Dementia friendly café Digswell (Sessions are held every other Tuesday in Digswell between 11:00am to 2:00pm)

Community Café Welwyn at St Marys Church (every Tuesday from 10am-12pm)

Community Cafe’ United Reform Church WGC (every Tuesday morning from 10.30am)

Make it fun

Think about hobbies and activities that have interested your loved on in the past. This will make it easier to find activities that may interest them now. For example, if they enjoyed knitting in the past, find a local knit and natter group. The URC Knit and Natter group meet every Wednesday from 10am-12pm http://wgcurc.org.uk/calendar-diary/  They often knit for local charities such as knitting hats for premature babies at Lister hospital, or knitting forget-me-nots to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society, which John Lewis in Welwyn Garden City use in their window display each year, to raise money for this amazing cause. Activities such as these not only keep their brain active but also makes them part of a worthy cause.

Gardening in the morning or evening when days are hot

Gardening is a great hobby and can certainly keep us active. Even though some may not be able to mow the lawn as they get older due to reduced mobility (maybe a good way for the grandchildren to earn a little pocket money!), there is no reason why they can’t use some adaptive tools to make gardening easier, such as a raised flower bed so that they don’t have to bend down, or arm grips and long hoes. Suggest a walk around the garden to fill up the bird feeders. Once they have finished their work in the garden, make sure they have a shady spot for a cool drink and to admire their hard work or watch the birds coming to feed – invite a neighbour to join them and make it a sociable time too!

During the hot weather, visit a local garden centre during the hotter time of the day, maybe Notcutts in Smallford, so that they can plant their purchases once it’s cooler in the late afternoon or early evening. https://www.notcutts.co.uk/?utm_source=StAlbans&utm_medium=Local&utm_campaign=StAlbans

Avoid the midday heat by staying inside in the middle of the day

During the hotter parts of the day, generally between 11am and 3pm, choose activities indoors where it’s cooler. Here are some less strenuous household chores that still count as exercise:

• Hanging laundry to dry
• Walking around the house
• Going to make a cup of tea or a healthy snack
• Chair based exercises which can improve motor skills and strengthen the body. Join an online exercise class

Alternatively, find a local group that meets during the day. The Welwyn Hatfield U3A have a range of activities from Bridge, Canasta and Crafts, to discussion groups on British History, Arts Appreciation and http://www.u3awelhat.org.uk/groups.html

What’s On in Welwyn Garden City this summer?

Local events in Welwyn garden City over the summer include:

Welwyn Festival 2023 https://www.welwynfestival.org.uk/events

Welwyn Festival Family Fun Day 1^st July 2023

Hatfield Community Fair 27^th July 2023

Screen on the Green 17^th, 18^th and 19^th August 2023

Search online for local school fetes and community fairs in Welwyn Garden City

How Right at Home Welwyn, Hatfield & St Albans can help your loved ones keep active this summer

If you are based in Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield or St Albans and feel that your parents or loved ones need a bit of extra support or encouragement to get moving, in-home care can be a great solution. Our CareGivers can offer companionship services that will help your loved ones keep moving and elevate some of the pressure you may feel.

Companionship can offer Clients much-needed conversation and mental stimulation, as well as encourage them to get out and about or take part in hobbies.

Visit our services page https://www.rightathome.co.uk/hatfield/the-services-we-offer/ to see how else we could support your loved ones or phone us on 01707 682100 for a friendly chat to discuss any support needs.