The change of seasons brings new opportunities for spending time with those who require a little extra support in their lives. While many people thrive with routine, others find too much sameness can be boring and dispiriting.
The cooler weather and changing colors can be like an invitation to explore your neighborhood, city, or other surroundings in new ways. Check out these ideas for yourself or those you care for:
Of course a walk is an option all year-round, but in the fall the cooler temperatures make it more comfortable at any time of day so people aren’t going to overheat. There are many health benefits to walking—both physical and mental—so not only is it a chance to spend time together, but everyone is likely to feel better after the walk.
You can save your walk for a visit to a local pumpkin patch. While some farms host large fall festivals, try going on a weekday or to a much smaller place (maybe one without a fancy corn maze, for example), to just enjoy being outside and selecting a pumpkin or gourd to bring home. This can be opportunity to reflect on memories together too as you stroll and chat.
Depending on where you live, fall is a time to visit a farmers’ market or go to a farm or orchard to pick fresh apples or other seasonal food. You can combine this with taking a drive and a walk too.
Speaking of apples, on a chillier day it might be fun to make a special dish with baked apples, a fall favorite. During harvest season there are many meal possibilities with baked squash, zucchini breads and cakes, canning apple butter, and pretty much pumpkin spice everything.
Seeing the leaves on the trees change color is exciting for people of all ages and it can evoke happy memories of previous adventures. Check the local colors forecast and put it on the calendar to drive by some quaking golden aspen trees or blushing might oak trees, then make a stop for lunch or early dinner and call it a day.
Not everyone is up for a grand day out so consider doing something indoors like putting together a puzzle with a traditional fall scene in the picture or creating a paper leaf wreath or garland to decorate the house.
Remember to take pictures of your outings and experiences together to share with other family members or just to look back on together fondly when the season changes again. Making a scrapbook or photo album can be another activity to anticipate and share.
