Assisted Living Asheboro, NC: How Seasonal Activities Can Support Brain Health
Seasonal shifts can make winter feel mentally slower for many older adults, with research suggesting cognition and memory tend to be stronger in summer and weaker in colder months. In assisted living in Asheboro, NC, seniors participate in brain-friendly, accessible activities year-round and adjust routines, outdoor plans, and safety prep to match the season.
Do you ever feel less mentally sharp during the winter months, especially in December and February? It often seems like the cold and darkness drain your mental energy, making your thinking slower and more sluggish. It's not just your imagination.
According to Andrew S. P. Lim et al in PLOS Medicine, memory and brain function are better during the summer, with mental capabilities declining significantly in the colder months. These disadvantages are particularly noticeable in seniors who may also be experiencing cognitive decline or other health issues affecting the brain.
Seasonal Changes in Brain Function in Aging
Our brains are intrinsically attuned to the seasons. We have an internal biological clock, and similar to how, in the fall, leaves drop from trees and birds change their feathers, humans also undergo physical changes, although ours are less visible.
According to research from Columbia University, an 80-year-old's brain might feel four years younger in the summer months compared to the winter. The reasons for these differences are not entirely understood, but they could be due to a combination of factors:
- A lack of vitamin D exposure in the darker seasons
- More time spent outdoors in sunlight during the summer
- Decreased social activity and connection in the winter months
Cognitive-Friendly Routines Year-Round as Part of the Asheboro Senior Lifestyle
Good senior living communities take stock of these changes and mitigate the dampening effects of fall and winter by providing bright, engaging activities. Think of things like puzzle games, playing engaging video games, or getting together for festive activities. According to the Alzheimer's Association, such activities significantly lower the risk of dementia and other forms of cognitive decline all year round.
However, they are particularly important in the darker months when there's less social connection and outdoor exercise.
Seasonal Preparation
In the winter, preparation is key to enjoying outdoor activities. One of the most important aspects is to check the weather report.
Seniors should bring clothing. And in snowy weather, hats, scarves, and gloves can make a difference.
In the summer, seniors are vulnerable to heat exhaustion and dehydration. So they should bring plenty of water, and they should avoid being in direct sunlight too long on hot days.
When doing indoor activities like playing puzzles and board games, it's important to make them accessible for all residents.
How Does Spring Enrichment for Seniors Work?
The spring lasts from around March until May, and this is when the seasonal cycle begins again. The dead winter landscape starts to regain its color, and the sun starts to shine again.
Senior communities can try doing the following activities to make the most of the spring season:
- Gardening activities where seniors plant new seeds and engage the senses by working with soil.
- Getting together with peers and going on group nature walks where you can appreciate the new life of spring.
- Spring cleaning activities where senior community residents collaborate to revitalize the space for the months ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can Seniors Make Summer Activities Safe and Enjoyable?
In the summer, the sun really begins to shine, and it's easy to find motivation to go outside and socialize. During these months, outdoor activities are the most attractive, so seniors can take advantage of this by:
- Taking day trips to local shops and attractions.
- Going for extended walks out in nature.
- Taking part in outdoor picnics, which can go late into the night.
What Are Simple, Brain-Friendly Fall Activities for Seniors?
In the fall, the leaves start to turn, and the days start getting shorter. At this point, senior communities will start moving activities indoors, and they'll start doing more cognitive engagement to counter the negative effects of the changing season. Seniors might try the following activities during the fall months:
- Creating a scrapbook containing different kinds of fallen leaves.
- Baking, for example, baking traditional pumpkin pie or other classic recipes.
- Indoor games and puzzles to keep the mind active and engaged.
During these months, there still might be a few days of good weather that feel like summer, so seniors and senior communities should be flexible. They should be prepared to move indoor events outdoors if the sun is shining, and be prepared to do the opposite and head inside during events where rain comes unexpectedly.
What Are Cozy, Low-Risk Winter Activities That Still Keep Seniors Active?
In the winter months, the weather is poor. However, it's the perfect time for cozy, indoor activities.
Board games and puzzles can help with aging and creativity by keeping senior brains engaged, and seniors can try games that encourage physical activity.
In assisted living in Asheboro, NC, this allows seniors to stimulate outdoor activity without having to step out into the cold and rain. It's a key part of memory support engagement.
Discover Assisted Living in Asheboro, NC
Well, it's true that cognitive capacity and mental wellness decline in the fall and winter. The best senior communities adapt their events and activities to compensate for these seasonal lows. These communities have more puzzles and games on offer in the winter and have opportunities for exercise that are suitable for indoors.
And then in the summer, when the weather is great, and people are more motivated to spend time outdoors and socialize, these communities take advantage by hosting engaging outdoor events and going for walks in nature.
If you're interested in assisted living in Asheboro, NC, and want to see our approach to year-round wellness at TerraBella Asheboro, we'd love to give you a tour of our community. We're part of the Discovery Senior Living family of management companies, which proudly ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction Among Assisted Living & Memory Care Communities in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Senior Living Satisfaction Study.
Please contact us today, and we'll discuss a potential date for your visit.