17 Fun Fall Activities for Seniors

Fall is here and it’s time to celebrate. With colorful leaves, Halloween, Thanksgiving, sports, and more, there are dozens of reasons to get excited. There are a variety of festive ways to enjoy autumn. You can also invite your friends and family on outings for some positive social interaction and bonding experiences.

An Alert1 medical alert device can help keep you safe while you are participating in various seasonal festivities. Whether you stay in your home or want to visit places with beautiful fall scenery, there are several options to suit your specific needs.

 1. Enjoy the Autumn Scenery

In most places in the United States, fall brings nice weather. It typically isn’t too hot or too cold and there are fewer bugs to buzz in your ear when you want to spend time outside. If you live in the northern regions of the United States, you may be lucky enough to see the trees turn beautiful colors. You can go for a walk out in nature or simply sit on a bench and take it in.

If you enjoy spooky décor, you can also tour your town at Halloween time and observe your neighbors’ creativity. You can turn it into a game and rate different displays on a scale of 1-10. Then, if you feel so inclined, you can write a note to commend your neighbors on a job well done.  If you do a walking tour around your neighborhood, a personal emergency alert device can connect you to a certified emergency response agent if you need it.

2. Craft Your Own Decorations

If you happen to get inspired by all the fall scenery, you can take on some arts and crafts projects and create your own décor using pumpkins, pinecones, and other seasonal finds. There are hundreds of different ideas online ranging from simple to complex difficulty. You can also call a friend or family member and craft some projects together. This is a great way to bond while being able to express your own creativity.

3. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkins and other gourds are very popular at this time of year. If you live near any farms or pumpkin patches, you can visit and pick out some pumpkins. Then you can take them home and paint or carve them however you like. Whether you choose to display your decorations inside or out, it’s sure to get you in the spirit of the season!

A medical alert button can help keep you safe on the uneven terrain of a pumpkin patch. You can enjoy this fun festivity with the peace-of-mind that you can get the help you need if you happen to fall.

4. Gardening

It’s not too late to do some gardening during the fall. It is a good time to plant perennial seeds as they typically take 8-10 weeks to grow. (1) You can also do some indoor gardening and bring some nature inside your home. Having a beautiful plant to look at and care for can bring you purpose and satisfaction while also giving you something lovely to look at.

5. Baking

Baking is a great way to stay occupied and bring a little extra warmth into your home in late fall when the weather starts to get colder. There are hundreds of seasonal dishes or baked goods that you can make. You can share them with friends and family to bring a smile to their faces. Some seasonal foods you may want to consider adding to your menu include:

• Pumpkins
• Apples
• Pomegranates
• Pears
• Dates
• Kale
• Brussel sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Sweet Potatoes
• Squash

Many of the items on this list will also provide you with healthy nutrients to keep your mind and body strong and reduce your risk of falling. An Alert1 medical alert system for seniors can keep you protected while performing various tasks around the kitchen.

6. Tabletop Activities

There are many fall-themed tabletop activities you can try in the comfort of your own home. Some popular activities include:

• Puzzles with autumn images
• Reading spooky stories
• Knitting warm blankets and clothing
• Scrapbooking with fall-themed materials

7. Preparing Goody-Bags for Trick-or-Treaters

There is nothing quite like seeing a child’s face light up when they receive a goody-bag on Halloween. Preparing treat bags to give to trick-or-treaters can be a fun and festive activity. When you hand out the treats on Halloween, you’ll not only make children happy, you’ll also get to see their creative costumes!

An Alert1 personal alarm button with fall detection technology can be useful if you have stairs in your home or by your front door. If you happen to accidentally stumble, you can quickly connect to a certified emergency response agent for immediate assistance.

8. Watch a Halloween Movie

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of Halloween movies. Whether you enjoy horror movies or prefer something milder like It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, you are sure to find something that puts you in a festive mood. You might even include popular “spooky” television shows like the Addams Family, the Munsters, Scooby-Doo, or Bewitched.  There are also plenty of Halloween-themed decorating or baking shows if you’re a fan of the reality competition genre.

9. Wear a Costume

A fun Halloween activity that all ages can participate in is dressing up in costume. You can dress up as anything you want and show off your creativity to your friends, family, and neighbors. Just make sure your costume doesn’t cover your emergency alert button.

10. Gratitude Journaling

Halloween isn’t the only holiday during autumn. Thanksgiving is another festive holiday meant to usher in a sense of appreciation. Gratitude journaling is a great way to commemorate Thanksgiving. According to Positive Psychology, “Regular gratitude journaling has been shown to result in 5% to 15% increases in optimism.” (2) Focusing on all of the positives in your life can also improve your mood and mental health.

11. Volunteer and Plan Meals for Those Less Fortunate

If you enjoy baking or cooking, make some extra dishes to share with someone in need. Volunteering can also make you feel good and support mental health. Consider wearing a mobile medical alert pendant while you are out and about helping others.

12. Tailgating

If you are a football fan, tailgating can be a fun activity. You can kick back, relax, and catch up with good friends. You can play some simple games like corn hole or horseshoes, and then cheer on your favorite team.

13. Trivia

Trivia is a fun way to challenge yourself and keep your mind sharp. Attend or host a trivia night with friends and family. You may be able to find some Halloween-themed trivia nights in your hometown. If you can’t make it out of your home for a trivia night, consider hosting one through video chat or taking an online quiz.

14. Attend Festivals

There are a variety of different festivals that happen in autumn. There are food festivals, music festivals, cultural festivals, and more. You can get some delicious food, listen to some good music, and maybe even start your holiday shopping. Be sure to bring an On-the-Go medical alert necklace to keep yourself safe in crowded areas or on uneven outdoor surfaces.

15. Hayrides

Hayrides are a great outdoor activity that allows you to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of autumn. They can be a great way to relax while you get some fresh air and enjoy the season.

16. Bonfires

It can get cold during autumn nights. A bonfire can keep you warm while you chat and catch up with friends. You can also make smores for a delicious treat!

17. Apple Picking

In addition to pumpkins, apples are another popular fall treat. Visit an orchard to pick your own apples and then take them home to eat or bake. An on-the-go emergency alert necklace is the perfect outdoor companion when away from home.

 Participating in these fun autumn activities offers a variety of benefits for seniors. These include:

Improved Mental and Physical Health

One of the best benefits you may notice after participating in these activities is improved mental and physical health. Crafts, puzzles, socialization, and nature will help exercise your brain and improve your mood. Activities like taking a walk, baking, and volunteering can help keep your muscles strong and your stamina high to decrease your risk of falling.

Less Prone to Disease

When you keep yourself healthy by exercising your mind and body, you can decrease your risk of catching viruses.  According to Population Health Management, “The health benefits of physical activity (PA) for older adults have been well established in the scientific literature. Numerous outcomes have been studied to document associations with PA, including reduced prevalence of common chronic conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension), improved mental health (depression, stress), quality of life, increased physical function, decreased cognitive decline (dementia, Alzheimer's disease), and reduced mortality rates.” (3)

Positive Social Engagement

Many fall activities can include your friends and family if you desire. You can bond and strengthen your connections with each other. There are multiple benefits of socialization as we age:

• Reduced stress. Older adults who are socially active handle stress better. This leads to improved cardiovascular health and a stronger immune system. 
• Longer lifespan. High levels of socialization in seniors have been shown to help increase longevity. 
• Better fitness. Older adults with diverse social supports are more likely to exercise regularly, which leads to a host of physical, mental, and cognitive benefits. 
• Reduced risk of depression and anxiety. Consistent socialization reduces the likelihood that seniors will experience depression caused by isolation and loneliness. 
• Greater self-esteem. Socialization helps seniors maintain self-esteem as they share themselves with others. (4)

Sense of Fulfillment

When you complete a craft, finish a puzzle, or see how happy people are with a treat you created, it may give you a sense of fulfillment. This can help you reduce stress and avoid feelings of depression. These are all benefits that will keep you healthy and happy as you age.

Experience Some Nostalgia

Many seasonal activities can provide you with a sense of nostalgia and bring you back to the traditions your family had when you were young. It can make you happy to reminisce.

Be Protected While Participating in Autumn Activities with an Alert1 Medical Alert Button

A medical alert system from Alert1 can ensure peace of mind to know that help is always available at the press of a button. There are various options to suit your needs. If you plan on mostly staying in your home, an in-home emergency alert necklace may be the best option. On the other hand, if you plan on venturing out and exploring the sights and sounds of fall, an on-the-go medical alert system would be a better option for you. No matter where you go to enjoy the fabulous fall season, with Alert1 by your side, you’ll never face an emergency alone.

1 DeJohn, Suzanne. n.d. Grow Perennials from Seed. Gardener’s Supply Company. Grow Perennials from Seed.

2 Ackerman, Courtney E. Oct. 2021. 28 Benefits of Gratitude & Most Significant Research Findings. Positive Psychology. 28 Benefits of Gratitude & Most Significant Research Findings.

3 Musich, Shirley. Wang, Shaohung S. Hawkins, Kevin. Greame, Chris. June. 2017. The Frequency and Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Older Adults. U.S. National Library of Medicine. The Frequency and Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Older Adults.

4 Act Retirement staff. Dec. 2017. The Importance of Socializing for Seniors. ActsRetirement.org. The Importance of Socializing for Seniors.