Elder Care Outings: Visiting a Pumpkin Patch with Your Seniors

Elder Care in Montauk NY

Fall is in the air and for many families that means one thing: pumpkins. Whether it is the ubiquitous pumpkin latte at the local coffee shop, the pumpkin bread smelling glorious from every bakery, or the cute pumpkin decorations popping up in stores, everywhere you look, pumpkins are taking over. Embrace this fun tradition of the new season in an old-fashioned way by planning a trip to the pumpkin patch with your aging loved ones.

Heading out to the local pick your own pumpkin patch with your seniors is a fantastic way to enhance your elder care routine with a mentally and physically stimulating activity you can get your children and partner in on as well. This allows you to spend extra quality time with all of the members of your family and pursue your elder care goals in a way that also encourages a close relationship and memories between the generations.

Use these tips to help you plan and enjoy a safe, healthy, and beneficial visit to the pumpkin patch with your aging loved ones:

• Visit on a weekday. If at all possible, visit the patch during the week. This will cut down dramatically on the crowds so you do not feel as overwhelmed or pressured on the visit. Going early in the season is also wonderful for enjoying the fun of the harvest without as many people around you. If you are unable to go on a weekday, plan your visit for early Sunday morning when the weekend crowds are at their lightest;

• Pack a bag. Any time you are going on an outing with your aging parents you should have a bag of supplies packed, but this is especially true when you are going on an active outdoor experience like visiting a pumpkin patch. Be sure to bring along sunscreen and insect repellant to protect against environmental hazards, a first aid kit to combat minor injuries and illnesses, and plenty of bottled water to keep everyone hydrated and feeling their best;

• Enjoy the activities. Turn pumpkin picking into an entire day of mental and physical stimulation and family bonding by researching various patches in your area to find those that offer several different activities. Many patches create a “fall festival” approach at their patches, offering food, animal encounters, straw mazes, and other experiences to go along with the actual pumpkin picking. Spend some time enjoying all of these, even if that means just sitting with your aging parents and watching your children climb the giant hay pile or spending an hour getting lost in the straw maze;

• Extend the outing. Once you have gathered all of those perfect gourds from the fields, extend the fun by hosting a pumpkin carving party. This does not have to be on the same day and is a great way to keep up the excitement and bonding experience. Use safety tools to prevent injury during carving ad be sure to toss some of the seeds in the oven to roast, sprinkle them with salt, and enjoy a high-protein snack after carving.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional elder care services in Montauk, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.