Summer is here, so it’s time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. Staying active is a central part of staying healthy, especially for older adults, so planning activities that promote physical activity should be part of your regular community programming. Summer activities are great opportunities for your activities director to work closely with the dining department.
We’ve compiled 12 of our favorite summer dining-related activities. There are indoor and outdoor options, so residents of all abilities can participate.
1. Gardening
Studies show that the physical activity done while gardening helps reduce the risk of type II diabetes, heart disease, and other serious illnesses. Gardening with others has additional benefits too, like boosting mental health and helping strengthen social connections between residents. Starting a garden allows residents to participate in growing their own food, promoting self-determination – a principle that fits with a person-centered model of care. Whether you have an indoor greenhouse or an outdoor space, residents are sure to love spending time tending to the fruits, vegetables, or flowers they plant.
2. Grill Out
Everybody loves a good BBQ! Get out the grill or the smoker to enjoy an evening of hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, and fresh vegetables. A pig roast is another option to feed a large group of people.
3. Go on a Picnic
Instead of having lunch in the dining hall, take your residents on a trip to the local park for a picnic. Not only does this get seniors out to see the new developments in the community, but it’s also a great nostalgic activity. Pack things like sandwiches with fresh meat and cheese, summer fruits, and a sweet treat for a well-balanced and delicious meal.
4. Have a Themed Dining Day
Getting caught up in serving similar meals throughout the month is easy. To prevent this, have a themed dining day. Don’t know what to pick? Here are some of our favorite suggestions.
- Italian Night – Have a pasta bar, endless garlic bread, and pizza options.
- 1950s Sock Hop – Take residents back to their youth with a 1950’s diner-themed dinner featuring hamburgers, fries, and an old-fashioned milkshake.
- Taco Tuesday – Set up a taco bar with all the fixings, serving chips and salsa, beans, rice, and other Mexican favorites on the side.
5. Watch a Movie
Give your residents a chance to sit back, relax, and watch one of the classics on a movie night. Poll them beforehand to find out a community-wide movie choice and snack preferences. But you can’t go wrong with classic popcorn and movie theater butter.
6. Host a Sports Watching Party
Do your residents love to watch football, golf, or baseball? Have a party for the season’s first game or a special sporting event! Whether you feature classic concession stand favorites like hot dogs or a walking taco or sports bar favorites like loaded potato skins and hot wings, sports fans will love getting together to watch the game.
7. Have an Ice Cream Social
After an afternoon outside or a community outing, set up an ice cream bar to help residents cool off. Options like hot fudge, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or even fruit from the garden are sure to be a hit.
8. Cooking Classes and Demonstrations
Host cooking classes to show residents how their favorite foods are made. A great way to incorporate this into your regular programming is to ask residents if they have a special family recipe or cultural food they’d like to share with the rest of the community. Have them help take charge, explaining and demonstrating how to make the recipe. Not only does this promote cultural diversity in your community, but it’s also the perfect option for a rainy day or for residents that aren’t able to participate in more strenuous activities like gardening.
9. Take a Trip to the Farmer’s Market
If you don’t have the space for a garden, a trip to the local farmer’s market is another option to connect residents with the local community. When you establish relationships with farmers and small businesses in the area, it’s easier to make fresh food a regular occurrence in your dining program.
10. Farm-to-Table Experience
After your trip to the farmer’s market, prepare the fresh vegetables, fruits, or other foods residents picked out for a farm-to-table meal experience. This way, residents and their families know where their food comes from and can enjoy knowing that it’s prepared from scratch. At Culinary Services Group, our registered dietitians incorporate fresh food into every food service management plan because we know how important a healthy, well-balanced meal is for an older adult’s health.
11. Spend the Afternoon Berry Picking
Find an orchard to visit for an afternoon. Residents can spend time picking berries, apples, or other fruits ready to harvest. It’s also a great way to make drinks like flavored lemonade, prepare a cobbler, or just to have a tasty snack.
12. Fish Fry
Is your community near a body of water? If so, work with local fishermen to have a fish fry with the day’s catch – a way to enjoy delicious food and fellowship. However, you don’t have to be near a lake or the ocean to make this happen. Work with your food distributor to find the freshest cuts of fish for your community.
Ready to have more fun with your dining program?
Food service management doesn’t have to be bland and boring. Spice up your dining program with the help of Culinary Services Group. Together, our trained team of culinary experts will work with your dining and activities staff to plan activities and nutrition programming residents will love. Contact us today to learn how to get started.
