Spring into Action! Seasonal Health Advice for Older Adults

 

With the weather getting warmer, it’s time for everybody to spring into action! Especially older adults who may have felt a little too cooped up inside this winter.

Spring’s arrival is a new opportunity to boost your overall health by getting more active outdoors. Our assisted living team in Camden County has put together a list of different ways to embrace the health and wellness benefits of spring. We’ve also compiled some tips on how to be prepared for the disadvantages of this season –  i.e. the dreaded spring allergies.

• Prepare for seasonal allergies ahead of time. We love seeing the spring flowers bloom, but the pollen really takes a toll on seasonal allergies. Make sure to keep your windows closed if you suffer from spring allergies. Also, talk to your primary physician or allergy doctor about when to start taking your allergy medications and how often. Depending on the severity of your allergies, your doctor may recommend taking allergy medication a month prior to spring as a preventative measure.
• Soak up the sun (safely, of course). The most inexpensive and easily accessible source of vitamin D for seniors: the sun! Vitamin D is produced when your skin is exposed to sunshine. Spending time outside in the sun also does wonders for your mental health and cognition. We recommend spending about 15-20 minutes out in the sun three days a week. Keep in mind, the sun’s rays are the most powerful between 10am-3pm. If you are prone to burning, wear sunscreen with a strong SPF and a hat to keep the strong rays away from your face.

• Incorporate spring vegetables into your diet. If you have a green thumb, spring is your season. It’s the ideal time to grow beautiful flowers, as well as delicious fruits and vegetables. Many vegetables and fruits like asparagus, cucumbers, mushrooms, peppers, sweet potatoes and strawberries are in season and can easily be grown with time, patience and special care. Not to mention, eating multiple servings of vegetables and fruits each day is said to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and cancer.

Spring activities for seniors in Camden County, NJ

With the weather getting warmer, the teams at United Methodist Communities are always looking for new, safe ways to have fun with our residents! With effective health and safety protocols in place, we have been able to restore and maintain avenues for socialization during COVID-19.

Some activities included guided meditation, chair yoga, virtual tours of the San Diego Zoo and more. We understand the important role socialization plays in everyone’s life and want to ensure our seniors can continue these vital connections both indoors and outdoors starting this spring.

Contact UMC at Collingswood today to find out how we are leading the way in both resident safety, and quality of life for seniors in New Jersey. Our dedicated assisted living team can answer any questions you may have about senior socialization at our community in Camden County, NJ.  Visit https://collingswood.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://collingswood.umcommunities.org/collingswood/spring-into-action-seasonal-health-advice-for-older-adults/