WHERE? A drive of an hour (more or less) offers a change of scenery--a beautiful view from any coast, lake, or river, plus a perfect setting for lunch (or picnic if doable) with aging parents. (Remember the water and sunscreen.)
Touristy or not natural attractions take people out of themselves, into what's real. Clearly a change for aging parents who don't drive much--or at all.
For example, I think of Multnomah Falls (Columbia River Highway out of Portland, Oregon), which Sr. Advisor, R, visited with us 2 summers ago, when she was 95. Loved the drive along the river, the falls is spectacular, and the restaurant lovely (check to see if reservations are advised)...or take a picnic.
Last weekend, for example, we were in Massachusetts--the Stockbridge, Lenox, Williamstown, Bennington area--all within a short driving distance. Lots of music, art plus theater and dance. (Such options may be near you.)
We attended two Tanglewood performances--the Boston Symphony at night; the Boston Pops on Sunday afternoon. These kinds of concerts attract older people--lots of gray hair and canes and a few bus tours at night; loads of walkers, wheelchairs, canes as well as an uncountable number of buses, clearly marked "Senior Tours" for the daytime Boston Pops.
It seems loads of aging parents and grandparents enjoy summer music outings; so many take day bus tours. An older woman in front of me proudly told me she had driven herself to the Sunday concert. She lived close and was soon joined by the 40-something (thoughtful) neighbors, who often give her a ticket.
Culture abounds: The Clark museum (Williamstown, Mass.)-- world-class paintings, user-friendly for older people (handicap accessible, wheelchairs, elevators, benches, excellent cafe). The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass. and the Bennington Museum in Vermont with its Grandma Moses collection, are gems. The latter should be uplifting. Grandma Moses was still painting at 100.
When living near parents, driving them to small towns they used to frequent but don't drive to any more, is a welcome outing...sometimes perhaps they can bring a friend. I know Sr. Advisor, R, has a friend whose daughter often includes R in short outings. She has a wonderful time--it means so much to her...and she usually treats them to lunch.
Zoos, local museums, a drive around the old neighborhood (past their old school if it's still standing), a picnic in a park, an unexpected trip to the mall--the options are only limited by our imagination and, I guess, finances. A destination outing or a simple drive with lunch or a midday meal helps parents age well--gives older people a lift--something to think and talk about. And we too can enjoy that.
Visit my other site http://helpparentsagewell.com for photos
Touristy or not natural attractions take people out of themselves, into what's real. Clearly a change for aging parents who don't drive much--or at all.
For example, I think of Multnomah Falls (Columbia River Highway out of Portland, Oregon), which Sr. Advisor, R, visited with us 2 summers ago, when she was 95. Loved the drive along the river, the falls is spectacular, and the restaurant lovely (check to see if reservations are advised)...or take a picnic.
Last weekend, for example, we were in Massachusetts--the Stockbridge, Lenox, Williamstown, Bennington area--all within a short driving distance. Lots of music, art plus theater and dance. (Such options may be near you.)
We attended two Tanglewood performances--the Boston Symphony at night; the Boston Pops on Sunday afternoon. These kinds of concerts attract older people--lots of gray hair and canes and a few bus tours at night; loads of walkers, wheelchairs, canes as well as an uncountable number of buses, clearly marked "Senior Tours" for the daytime Boston Pops.
It seems loads of aging parents and grandparents enjoy summer music outings; so many take day bus tours. An older woman in front of me proudly told me she had driven herself to the Sunday concert. She lived close and was soon joined by the 40-something (thoughtful) neighbors, who often give her a ticket.
Culture abounds: The Clark museum (Williamstown, Mass.)-- world-class paintings, user-friendly for older people (handicap accessible, wheelchairs, elevators, benches, excellent cafe). The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass. and the Bennington Museum in Vermont with its Grandma Moses collection, are gems. The latter should be uplifting. Grandma Moses was still painting at 100.
When living near parents, driving them to small towns they used to frequent but don't drive to any more, is a welcome outing...sometimes perhaps they can bring a friend. I know Sr. Advisor, R, has a friend whose daughter often includes R in short outings. She has a wonderful time--it means so much to her...and she usually treats them to lunch.
Zoos, local museums, a drive around the old neighborhood (past their old school if it's still standing), a picnic in a park, an unexpected trip to the mall--the options are only limited by our imagination and, I guess, finances. A destination outing or a simple drive with lunch or a midday meal helps parents age well--gives older people a lift--something to think and talk about. And we too can enjoy that.
Visit my other site http://helpparentsagewell.com for photos
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