On behalf of the entire Advantage Home Health Solutions team, we hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day! But wait, the festivities are only just getting started. This Monday, May 19th is Victoria Day. That means this forthcoming weekend is a holiday long weekend! For most of us, the “May 2-4” long weekend marks the unofficial start of summer in Canada. It’s a time when families come together, the weather warms up and communities come alive with celebration.
For older adults or individuals with mobility challenges, traditional festivities may not always be safe or accessible. At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we believe everyone deserves to be part of the celebration. If you have elderly parents and/or individuals living with mobility issues amongst your loved ones, there are many creative and inclusive ways to enjoy the long weekend together.
Host a backyard picnic or garden party.
For many seniors, going out to celebrate Victoria Day is a harrowing concept. Mobility challenges can make travelling even short distances difficult. Well, let it be known that you don’t have to leave home to enjoy the great outdoors! Why not host a picnic or garden party in the backyard? It will allow you to create a safe, familiar space while enjoying nature.
To promote both accessibility and safety for your elderly loved one, make use of wheelchair ramps for easy access to patios or decks. Be sure to provide plenty of shaded seating and hydration options. Lay down a flat outdoor rug or use a patio space to prevent trips or falls. Play some soft music, enjoy finger foods and bring out some fun lawn games that can be adapted for seated play.
“The comfort of your guests must be your top priority,” insists Weezevent, “Providing a shaded area is essential if the weather forecast is for hot, sunny weather. A large parasol over a table will provide shade for food and drink, but also think about where your guests can take shelter. Why not use a large sheet to create a sail over part of the garden? And if it’s really hot, make sure you have citronella candles and mosquito repellent on the tables.”
Enjoy a wonderful walk in the park.
If your elderly loved one is comfortable with an outdoor excursion, the Victoria Day long weekend is the perfect time of year to see some sights. Thankfully, Calgary is surrounded by stunning landscapes that come alive in May. A walk in the park can be the perfect low-effort outing for someone with limited mobility.
Check out Prince’s Island Park. This beautiful downtown park contains The Chevron Learning Pathway on its east end. “The pathway winds around a constructed wetland designed to treat storm water before entering back into the Bow River,” explains the City of Calgary website, “Interesting interpretive signage explains how a wetland works and presents meaningful information about wildlife, habitat and water quality.”
Located in the southern part of Calgary, Fish Creek Provincial Park is another great option for a nice walk. As Alberta Parks informs us, “the park has more than 80 kilometres of pathways – 30 km paved & 50 km of shale.” In the northwest part of Calgary, you’ll find Nose Hill Park. Created in 1980, it covers over 11 square kilometres and has numerous hiking trails and dedicated off-leash areas.
Watch a fireworks display from a comfortable spot.
On Victoria Day, it’s a popular tradition for many people to head out to crowded parks to see fireworks. However, that’s not exactly ideal for seniors or those with mobility issues. It’s better for them to view the show from a nearby parking lot or even from your car. If you’d like to see fireworks with your loved ones, bring comfortable seating or pillows. Don’t forget noise-cancelling headphones for those who may be sensitive to loud sounds.
Be sure to check for locations and times of fireworks displays throughout the city. It’s a good idea to research comfortable locations for those who may have issues with mobility.
Get out in the garden.
For many older adults, gardening is a very therapeutic activity. It offers a great way to both enjoy the fresh air while beautifying the outskirts of a home. For individuals with mobility limitations, adaptive tools and raised garden beds make it much easier. With Victoria Day weekend often being the time of year when Canadians welcome the summertime, it’s a great opportunity to put your green thumb to work!
To help the senior in your life enjoy gardening during the holiday weekend, offer him or her some tools with ergonomic handles. Suggest that they plant some herbs, flowers or vegetables that are easy to maintain and harvest.
On behalf of Laidback Gardener, Mathieu Hodgson jokingly suggests that Victoria Day be renamed National Gardening Day. He notes that even though the weather generally warms up, this time of year, you should check the forthcoming temperatures before planting vegetables in the garden. “Make sure that temperatures remain above 12°C at night for the next few weeks, otherwise you risk damaging your plants and delaying their growth,” advises Hodgson.
Make the long weekend about rest and wellness.
Sometimes, the best way to spend a holiday is with rest and relaxation. This is especially true for individuals who are managing pain, fatigue or chronic conditions. Perhaps, you can create a spa-like atmosphere at home during the long weekend. Incorporate aromatherapy and gentle music. Offer your loved one a warm foot soak or hand massage. Locate and watch a funny film on your favourite streaming service.
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we offer a range of mobility aids, such as mobility scooters, and accessibility equipment, like wheelchair lifts, that can make Victoria Day events safer and more enjoyable. We work with families, caregivers and healthcare professionals across Calgary and Southern Alberta to create solutions that fit each person’s lifestyle.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page. Happy Victoria Day!
