Saying Farewell to Summer
As the wonderful summer of 2025 at our Weymouth care home comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the many joyful moments we’ve shared with our residents and guests at Friary Care. From soaking up the sunshine on days out to joining in fun-filled activities, we truly made the most of those glorious summer days. Highlights included a visit to the Weymouth Sea Life Centre and our lively summer BBQ—both bringing smiles, laughter, and cherished memories for everyone involved.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
Now, as the days begin to grow shorter and we say goodbye to the summer, we’re taking in this transition with excitement rather than sadness. Autumn’s arrival comes with a wonderful opportunity to discover fresh ways to stay active and connected with new activities and routines.
At Friary Care, we understand that seasonal transitions can feel challenging for many of our residents. With fewer daylight hours and limited opportunities to spend time outdoors, it becomes even more important for us to create engaging indoor experiences that nurture our residents.
That’s why we’re already busy planning exciting autumn activities designed to keep our residents active during the indoor months ahead. Let’s explore how our care home is preparing to make this autumn season truly special for everyone in our community.
Staying Active Indoors
Just because we’re staying inside more, doesn’t mean our activity levels need to slow down. The transition to spending more time indoors actually opens up new possibilities for movement and exercise that we might not have considered during the busy outdoor summer months. Our care team has been busy planning lots of entertaining indoor activities to keep our elderly residents moving.
Indoor Exercise Activities For The Elderly
- Low-impact cardio
- Chair-based activities
- Standing balance exercises
- Indoor walking groups
- Tai Chi
- Gentle dance sessions to favourite music
- Light aerobics
Nature-Inspired Indoor Activities
Staying connected to nature in the cooler months can be more challenging, with fewer chances to spend time outdoors. Yet the natural world plays a vital role in enriching later life, offering sensory stimulation and mental engagement that help our residents thrive. That’s why, throughout autumn and winter, we bring the beauty of nature indoors.
Our residents love tending to indoor herb gardens, where they can watch seeds grow into fragrant plants while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of gardening year-round. We update our communal spaces with seasonal decorating projects using natural materials collected during our brief outdoor walks.
Bird watching from our large windows has also become a popular daily activity, with residents keeping track of the different species that visit our gardens and feeders.
Nature-Inspired Indoor Activities at Friary Care
- Bird watching
- Growing herbs on windowsills
- Planting bulbs for winter flowering
- Maintaining a small indoor vegetable garden
- Pressed flower art and leaf printing
- Seasonal crafts & decorating
- Indoor plant care
- Webcam viewing of wildlife reserves
- Flower arranging
- Natural scent exploration and memory games
- Learning about local wildlife and habitats
Ensuring Mental Wellness in Autumn
We know that shorter days and longer nights can take a mental toll, especially for those with limited mobility. With fewer opportunities to get outside, it can be harder to stay connected with others and enjoy the activities of summer. Seasonal changes may also bring feelings of restlessness or low mood, which is why we’ve created a thoughtful approach to supporting emotional wellbeing throughout this time of year.
That’s why we design our daily activities to stimulate the mind, including playing memory games and creative arts and crafts sessions. This also encourages social connections to help combat any feelings of isolation that cooler weather might bring. We also keep our communal spaces bright, using warm lighting and seasonal decorations to create an atmosphere of joy.
Autumn Wellness Activities for the Elderly
- Mood-boosting activities like reading, puzzles, or crafts
- Classic card games
- Puzzles
- Memory games
- Book club
- Crossword puzzles and word games
- Social connection activities
- Creative & artistic activities like drawing and journaling
- Spending time in well-lit spaces
- Listening to music
- Live music performances
- Pet therapy
Transitioning to Autumn at Our Care Home in Dorset
We’re excited to be incorporating many of these wonderful activities into our autumn programme here at our Weymouth care home. If you have a loved one who would enjoy participating in these engaging wellness activities, we welcome visitors through our respite care and day visit services. These options provide a perfect opportunity for individuals to experience a refreshing change of scenery while connecting with our vibrant community and making new friends.
To discover more about our autumn activities and learn how your loved one could benefit from joining our caring community at Friary Care, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly care team on 01305 787811.
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