10 Fun Fall Activities for Seniors in Senior Living Facilities

It’s that time of the year again! The nights are chillier and days are festive. Many people look forward to the fall season being in full swing, primarily because of the crisp fall air and the colorful leaves really set the stage for autumn. 

However, with this season’s arrival comes the challenge for senior living facilities managers to come up with fun fall activities that will enrich their resident’s life. But don’t you worry! We are here to provide you with activity ideas that are simple, fun, and inexpensive. 

1. Form a Close-Knit Group

Believe it or not, knitting is one of the most recommended fall activities for seniors. For one, they don’t have to exert that much physical strength to accomplish the job. Second, it’s a craft that will improve one’s handiwork and creativity. Third, studies also showed that this activity boosts not only happiness but also increases one’s confidence. 

Senior living facilities can jumpstart this initiative by forming a close-knit group. Gather those that are interested in learning this craft. Once they have familiarized themselves with the basics, you may organize a field trip to a nearby craft store so they can further buy materials that will improve their output. 

2. Bake Seasonal Treats

Fall is the time where the weather gets chilly. It’s the perfect combination - not as hot as summer but not as cold as winter. It’s definitely a good balance for the body. 

As the cold breeze starts, people may find themselves more inspired and drawn to baking. What better time to create signature pumpkin cheesecakes, baked apples strudels, sugared cookies, and more than this fall? This activity is definitely an effective stress-reliever for adults and results in delicious treats perfect for sharing!

3. Take a Hike

Maximize the amazing ambiance of this season by taking a hike - under the wonderful weather and in the presence of the colorful leaves. If the elderly of your senior living facilities are in good physical condition, then try to find a nearby park for a relaxing walk. You may also give them a bit of extra adventure by exploring preserves for a short hike. 

Don’t be concerned too much with the weather tiring them off. This is because the temperature is a great balance between hot and cold and is less stressful on the body. However, for safety, don’t forget to receive the go signal from their doctors. 

4. Arrange a Night’s Live Trivia

Do you want to improve the relationship of your seniors in your living facility? One of the ways to go about this is to spark social connections through the help of a night’s live trivia. This is not only a fight of the minds but may also be a source of happiness and excitement for the residents. 

Keep in mind that you don’t have to hire extra people to push through with this initiative. There are various places on the internet to source the questions you can use in your live trivia event. Make sure to prepare the people who will also run the show. You will need a host, scorer, timer, and watcher. 

Lastly, don’t forget to choose an outdoor setup that will fit your theme. Just put out a few tables and corresponding decor as well as serve some favorite finger foods so the seniors will feel relaxed and have a great time!  

5. Prepare For Trick-or-Treat

With the fall season in full swing, Halloween is right around the corner. Undoubtedly,  excited kids donning their best costumes will begin to knock on every door, including senior living facilities. With this, it’s vital to form a sense of camaraderie among the residents and prepare them for the surge of trick-or-treating kids. 

This is also the perfect opportunity for your seniors to feel involved in the community. It’s also a loving reminder to them of their grandkids, should they have some. 

You may even convert this endeavor into a contest. For instance, you may group the elderly into several teams, and the team that will produce the highest number of mixed candy bags will have a prize. What a treat to both the kids and grandparents! 

6. Garden This Autumn

With the combination of the mild temperature and beautiful weather, this season is definitely the perfect time to start gardening. It’s not new to know that seniors love taking care of plants and flowers. Most of them have green thumbs, which give them the power to grow the best garden there is. 

Aside from planting fall-friendly plants, they may also try producing green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits, which they can use in cooking. This is less costly than buying from the wet and dry market. 

Don’t forget to take note of the intricacies of your plants. There are some which need more attention as the weather gets cooler. Others may require less supervision so make sure not to bother them that much. 

This is also the perfect time to grow perennial flower bulbs. The reason behind this is that they need a year to bloom fully. Examples of the hardiest perennials out there are hyacinth, tulips, daffodils, and allium. So once you’ve set everything up, all you have to do is wait for spring to encounter its budding flowers. 

7. Spearhead a Leaf Peeping Tour

Believe it or not, a lot of seniors love experiencing a leaf-peeping tour. For them, this activity relaxes them in ways that they can’t even describe. 

To jump start this activity, hire an arborist or horticulturist first so that the tour will be a more meaningful and educational one. It’s also your choice whether you’ll walk or take a bus. Finally, take into consideration where you’re headed and whether you have multiple stops in the process. 

There are many fun fall activities that your senior living facilities can arrange. However, our recommendation is to keep your residents involved as early as the planning process for you to have a feel of what they really want. From here, they’ll be able to experience the best autumn to remember.