Summer Activities for Seniors

 Older adults have different needs during the summer than other age groups. For example, they are at increased risk of dehydration and sunburn. If you’ll be enjoying outdoor activities with an older adult this year, be sure to take the following precautions:

1. Plan outside activities during cooler hours (between ten and four are generally the warmest).
2. Have your loved one drink plenty of fluids. Non-alcoholic and caffeine-free beverages are the most hydrating.
3. Replace any lost electrolytes and potassium. Electrolytes can be found in sports drinks, and many fruits and vegetables contain potassium.
4. Apply (and re-apply) sunscreen as needed.
5. Wear insect repellent, if necessary.

Also, certain medications don’t mix well with the sun, so make sure that seniors speak with their  physician about any potential concerns. They may want you to take extra precautions such as sticking to the shade or wearing a floppy hat. Read more about how you can beat the heat!

Warm August evenings in Canada are the perfect time to savour the last flicker of summer heat before the familiar honking of migrating geese fill the skies.

Summertime livin’ is easy, and fun, when you join exciting summer activities in your community.

Sing Round the Campfire!

A study found that singing was instrumental in improving the brain functionality of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and aphasia. However, singing holds far more benefits to senior health!

Singing can provide seniors with the opportunity to network and engage socially. Singing is also a great aerobic activity that produces oxygen in the blood, improves circulation and deep breathing, reduces stress and induces “feel good” hormones.

Gather your family, friends and neighbours and organize a sing along around a campfire—Note if there are fire restrictions create a fake fire and still sing along around it. Someone you know will bring a guitar and someone will bring refreshments and snacks. All it takes is for you to reach out.

Go for a Swim!

Summer activities for seniors that take place in water reduce the risk of injury by lessening joint impact. Water-based summer activities for seniors are also a great exercise option for those with arthritis or stiff joints. Seniors can float, swim, or take part in a light water aerobics class.

Drop-in programs are operating in all senior centers for the summer. Here are some of the drop-in programs we offer. Your community center will offer many of these or more. For fun in summer check out your local senior center.

Welcome! We offer social activities to encourage our older adults & seniors (60+) to get involved. Our goal is to meet the needs & interests of you through social recreation opportunities.

We hope you find some fun, memorable times through our recreation programs and events!

Open Games Room

For those 60+, feel free to gather some friends, work on a puzzle, or enjoy a game of Scrabble, cards or Mahjong! We have wide selection of board games and puzzles available to enjoy in either the Game Room or the Wilson Lounge.

Birthday Social Decades and Eras

Join us as we take a trip through time to celebrate birthdays in July & August! From the roaring 20s to the groovy 70s and be-yond, we're turning back the clock for a party that spans the best of every era. Get ready for an afternoon full of music, memories, and fun! Members with birthdays in July & August register for FREE.

60+ Drop-Ins

Monday

Snooker 9:00am - 12:00pm, Twisted Stitches 12:30pm - 2:30pm, Canasta 1:00pm - 3:30pm, Ukulele 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Duplicate Bridge 5:30pm - 9:00pm. Table Tennis 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Tuesday

Snooker 9:00am - 12:00pm, Table Tennis 9:00am - 12:00pm, Guitar 11:15am - 2:00pm, Eight Ball 12:00pm - 2:30pm, Carpet Bowling 12:30pm - 3:00pm

Wednesday

Snooker 9:00am - 12:00pm, Table Tennis 9:00am - 12:00pm, Sewing 10:00am - 2:00pm, *Bingo 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Wednesday

Snooker 9:00am - 12:00pm, Table Tennis 9:00am - 12:00pm, Sewing 10:00am - 2:00pm, *Bingo 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Thursday

Snooker 9:00am - 12:00pm, Table Tennis 9:00am - 12:00pm, Eight Ball 12:00pm - 2:30pm, Canasta 12:00pm - 2:30pm

Friday

Snooker 9:00am - 12:00pm, Table Tennis 9:00am - 12:00pm, Bridge w/o partners 12:00pm - 3:00pm \, Carpet Bowling 12:30pm - 3:00pm

Saturday

Snooker 9:00am - 12:00pm, Table Tennis 9:00am - 12:00pm, Euchre-Tupper 9:30am - 12:00pm, Art Drop In 10:00am - 1:00pm

Tend Your  Garden

Between digging, weeding, and cutting plants, gardening is one of the best summer activities for seniors because it is exercise disguised as leisure. Plus, seniors can socialize as they plant or tend to flowers and vegetables.

Residents  can use the produce in their own kitchens, or partner with the foodservice team to incorporate the fruits (and vegetables) of their labour to the foodbank.

Happy Anniversary to my wife, thank you for all you do.

Today we celebrate our 57th wedding anniversary, and as I reflect on the journey we've shared, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. We've known each other for more than 60 years, and from the moment we met, I knew there was something special about you. Your warmth, kindness, sense of humour, and beautiful heart captured mine, and I have never looked back.

Over the years, we've celebrated wonderful highs and weathered more than our share of challenges. In the good times we laughed until our sides hurt, and in the difficult times we leaned on each other, shed a few tears, and found the strength to keep moving forward. Every experience has woven another thread into the life we've built together, making our bond even stronger.

You have always been the heart of our family. Your quiet strength, endless patience, and unwavering love have touched not only me but our children, our grandson, and everyone fortunate enough to know you. You have a remarkable way of making people feel welcomed, valued, and loved.

As we celebrate this milestone, I want you to know that you are still my best friend, my greatest blessing, and the person I most enjoy sharing life with. I treasure the memories we've made and look forward to creating many more, whether they're grand adventures or simply quiet moments together.

Happy 57th Anniversary, my love. Thank you for saying "yes" all those years ago, for walking beside me through every season of life, and for making every day brighter simply by being you.

I love you more today than ever. Here's to the next chapter, still hand in hand, still making memories, and still laughing together.

What You Can Do Right Now

Here is the good news: photosensitivity reactions can be significantly reduced by using proper photoprotection. You do not have to stay indoors all summer. You just need to be smart about it.

1. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking any medication without professional advice. But do ask: "Could any of my medications make me more sensitive to the sun?" If the answer is yes, ask for specific guidance on how to protect yourself.

2. Check your medications. Look at the labels of your prescription and over-the-counter medications. If you are unsure, your pharmacist can help.

3. Limit sun exposure during peak hours. The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.. Plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon.

4. Cover up. Wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-protective clothing.

5. Use sunscreen, and use it properly. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply it generously to all exposed skin, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

6. Stay in the shade. When possible, enjoy the outdoors from under a tree, an umbrella, or a covered patio.

A Simple Rule to Remember

Here is the bottom line: if you are taking any medication regularly, and you plan to spend time in the sun, have a conversation with your healthcare provider first.

It takes five minutes. It could save you from a painful sunburn, a nasty rash, or worse.

Summer is too short to spend it indoors. But it is also too short to spend it dealing with a preventable skin reaction. Be smart. Be safe. And enjoy the sunshine, with your eyes wide open.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist before making any changes to your medications or sun exposure habits

When Your Medication and the Sun Don't Mix: A Summer Warning for Seniors

 There is nothing quite like a warm summer day, the sun on your face, a gentle breeze, the scent of freshly cut grass. It is what we wait for all year.

But here is something many seniors do not know some of the most common medications taken by older adults can turn a pleasant day in the sun into a painful, damaging experience.

It is called photosensitivity , a negative reaction of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) rays. In plain language, certain drugs make your skin extra sensitive to sunlight. A few minutes in the garden, a short walk to the mailbox, or an afternoon on the patio can result in a severe sunburn, an itchy rash, or even blisters.

And here is the part that should get your attention: a recent study found that more than one-fifth of all drugs used by seniors have the potential to cause photosensitivity reactions. Many seniors are taking three to five such medications at the same time.

If you are one of them, you need to know which medications are the culprits, and you need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before heading outdoors.

The Top Five Medications That Don't Mix With Sun

1. Diuretics ("Water Pills")

Diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure and heart failure. They are among the most frequently cited photosensitizers. A study of older adults found that hydrochlorothiazide was one of the drugs most commonly associated with photosensitivity reactions.

What to watch for: If you take a diuretic and spend time in the sun, you may notice a rash or sunburn-like reaction on exposed skin, sometimes even after brief exposure.

2. Antibiotics (Especially Tetracyclines and Quinolones)

Certain antibiotics are notorious for causing sun sensitivity. Doxycycline (a tetracycline) and ciprofloxacin (a quinolone) are among the most common offenders. These medications can make your skin sunburn much more quickly than usual.

What to watch for: Even a short time in the sun can cause a severe, painful sunburn. The reaction can happen within hours of exposure.

3. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), as well as prescription-strength NSAIDs like ketoprofen, can increase sun sensitivity. In fact, one study found that ketoprofen caused the highest number of photosensitivity reactions of any drug.

What to watch for: These drugs can cause both phototoxic reactions (like a severe sunburn) and photoallergic reactions (an itchy, rash-like response).

4. Cholesterol-Lowering Statins

Statins like atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor) are among the most widely prescribed medications in Canada. Both have been linked to photosensitivity reactions. A study of older adults found that atorvastatin and simvastatin were associated with cutaneous adverse reactions to sunlight.

What to watch for: If you take a statin and notice unusual redness, itching, or a rash after being in the sun, your medication may be the cause.

5. Diabetes Medications (Sulfonylureas)

Medications for type 2 diabetes, such as glipizide and glyburide, can also increase sun sensitivity. These drugs are commonly prescribed to seniors and are often overlooked as a cause of sun-related skin reactions.

What to watch for: A sunburn or rash that seems out of proportion to your sun exposure could be related to your diabetes medication.

Why Seniors Are Especially at Risk

Older adults are more vulnerable to drug-induced photosensitivity for several reasons. Many of us take multiple medications, increasing the chance that one or more of them is a photosensitizer. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and more fragile, making it more susceptible to damage. And, perhaps most importantly, many of us simply do not know that their medications put them at risk

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist before making any changes to your medications or sun exposure habits.