Senior friends standing in a field

Back-to-School Month at Hawthorn Communities

Always Something To Learn: Back-to-School Month at Hawthorn Senior Living

August is a strange month, sandwiched between the superstar months of July and September, with their fancy fireworks, parades and picnics. It’s a time when children are going back to school, parents are frazzled and the rhythm of summer fun is slowing down. While most people are struggling to get back into a routine, residents at Hawthorn Senior Living are living it up and taking advantage of all the unique and engaging activities and events.

August is not only Family Fun Month and National Picnic Month, but also Peach Month and Romance Awareness Month. In fact, there seems to be a wacky, wonderful holiday nearly every day in August. There are even weekly holidays like Simplify Your Life Week, Smile Week, Friendship Week and Be Kind to Humankind Week. What more can we expect from any month?

At Hawthorn Senior Living, our teams are always dreaming up ways to inspire creativity, engage minds within our communities and provide abundant social activities for seniors.

Hawthorn communities have so many activities, events and special occasions that it’s a party every day! This month has been chock-full of entertainment and socializing with friends and family members, and we’re not just playing bingo. So, what do seniors do for fun? Let’s look back to see what a few of our communities have been up to lately!

Craft Corner

For many older adults, an arts and crafts program may not seem like a necessary investment in your mental health and well-being. However, as a person gets older, these programs can help improve socialization opportunities and keep the brain stimulated and healthy. What is the benefit of arts and crafts in your life? Hawthorn Senior Living offers a range of solutions to help you embrace this and other programs while providing fun for seniors.

For National Watermelon Day, the residents at Parker Place in Mentor, Ohio, went to their local farmers market and picked up fresh peaches, watermelons, plums and nectarines. The community served the locally sourced fruit during beanbag baseball, and the rest was served up by the culinary team during mealtime.

Senior resident standing next to a pile of watermelons

Residents at Chesterfield Heights in Midlothian, Virginia, and Sterling Heights in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, got creative on National Watermelon Day. The communities made adorable yet practical coasters and tea towels.

Young woman holding up some fabric with watermelons

Making art, big or small, can be a great stress relief and beneficial to your overall health. A group of residents at Oak Park in Salisbury, North Carolina, look forward to craft class every week and spending time with friends.

Out and About

Who doesn’t love a day trip shopping, sightseeing or enjoying a delicious lunch? Hawthorn residents have been staying busy by getting out and exploring!

Residents at Williams Place in Davidson, North Carolina, explored The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens. The group enjoyed a beautiful day out and discovered plants they’d never seen before. It was definitely an educational and fun field trip for the residents.

Senior standing next to tree with flowers

August is the perfect time to stroll through sunflower fields with friends. Residents at Sterling Heights soaked up the sunshine while visiting a local sunflower farm.

Unique Happenings 

To celebrate the anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock music festival, Parker Place hosted a special tie-dye-themed social for the residents. The residents represented the ’60s by dressing up as hippies and enjoying a drink called Hippie Punch. Residents even tie-dyed tea towels while listening to Jimi Hendrix. Residents and team members alike had fun reminiscing the adventures they had in the ’60s and where they were when Woodstock took place!

Many senior living communities today include pet therapy to improve the quality of life of their residents. Research shows pet therapy can help address some of the physical and emotional needs of older adults by improving sleep, reducing depression and enhancing mood.

The Zoo Crew visited the residents at The Bradley in Kanata, Ontario, and brought an array of animals for the residents to hold, touch and cuddle. From chinchillas and lizards to rabbits and turtles, the residents greatly benefitted from pet therapy and seeing the adorable animals. 

Join In on the Fun!

At Hawthorn Senior Living, we believe each day should be a celebration! Our communities provide an unmatched array of creative and social activities for seniors. In fact, creativity, fun and lifelong learning are woven into the tapestry of Hawthorn life.

There is something new to do every day at our communities, and you could be part of it all! Find a community near you today and schedule a tour.

Stay tuned for monthly updates to get the inside scoop at what our communities and residents are up to.