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By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of festivals, markets, and other events & activities taking place within the Maryland region during this fall season. The focus is on senior and family friendly gatherings and outings that have easy accessibility and are suitable for those with more limited mobility or other health concerns.
While most events have an autumnal theme based around harvests, in-season foods, leaf viewing, fall flora and fauna, and other seasonal happenings, events with a more general or different focus (such as the yearly Renaissance Festival or Baltimore Light City exhibits) that take place during this time of year have also been included. Please remember to check beforehand for accessibility and availability of seating, shade, suitable drinks & food, and other potential requirements in all locations for those seniors who may have more severely limited mobility or those with special health conditions and requirements.
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Beat the Heat: Why Seniors Are at a Higher Risk of Getting Heat Stroke & How You Can Avoid It7/1/2019
By Christian Worstell
When summer temperatures rise, elders and their caregivers should take heed. Seniors are much more susceptible to suffering from heatstroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration when the mercury rises. In fact, studies show that from 1999 to 2009, approximately 40% of the fatalities from heatstroke were people 65 years of age and older. What Is Heatstroke?
There are several different types of heat injury, most of which begin with dehydration. Dehydration occurs when a person's body loses more water than it takes in. We lose fluids from sweating, breathing and urinating. Vomiting and diarrhea also cause the body to lose fluids.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a collection of more senior friendly activities, festivals, and other forms of entertainment during the summer season within the Maryland region. The focus here is on relatively inexpensive, time limited or seasonally focused activities that take place outdoors or otherwise take advantage of the warmer weather. Many are whole family friendly and should be accessible to those with a wider range of mobility or health issues, although as always, accessibility requirements for the venue should be checked in advance for those seniors with bulky mobility aids or more severe health concerns.
While many festivals & exhibits are free to attend, some will require entrance fees or extra costs for added amenities, additional content, or otherwise will have more of a focus on available summer produce & other seasonal fare to purchase. 
Summer Nature Exhibitions & Demonstrations
As the balmy summer weather often makes it possible to view and otherwise interact with wildlife that may not be available during the rest of the year, here are a selection of wilderness, animal, and otherwise other nature related events taking place throughout the Maryland region.
The focus here are on natural based excursions that are accessible to those with more limited mobility and are otherwise not overly physically taxing. While many of these events may have indoor components or will otherwise have shade & resting areas nearby, normal precautions should always be taken regarding any potential heat or sun-exposure related conditions.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of spring themed activities, events, and festivities that will be taking place throughout Baltimore and the general Maryland region that are family and senior friendly. The spotlight is on easily accessible activities that become more readily available around this time of year such as those that have a particular focus on flowers, vegetation, seasonal produce, animals, and spring holidays or other outdoor events that take advantage of the mild seasonal weather.
While some locations remain available throughout the year and many events repeat annually, there are a fair few one time occurrences or areas that are only open for public touring during a very limited time. As always, for those seniors with more severe forms of limited mobility or health issues, prospective venue locations should be checked out in advance to be certain they will provide the needed level of accessibility. Spring Events
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of tutorials for various types of sensory toys with explicit autumn themes. These crafts are easy to do for seniors, kids, and whole families and use a variety of common and inexpensive base materials including fresh fall materials such as leaves, twigs, acorns, autumn berries, nuts, and pinecones that can be gathered in outside excursions for further exercise.
In addition to acting as normal fall decor, sensory toys can be used as stress relief toys for adults, hand therapy for those with arthritis or other hand strength or dexterity issues, or sensory play which is especially good for kids, people confined to beds, or those in later stages of dementia & Alzheimer's. Craft Tutorials
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of fall themed crafts that are suitable for seniors, kids, and those who may have arthritis or other hand strength & dexterity issues. The focus this time is on using base materials that can be gathered freshly outside during a fun activity or excursion. For those who may not have access to trees and other plants that would provide these materials, they can be inexpensively bought online or at local craft, hobby, art, or even grocery stores depending upon the exact item.
Other crafting supplies that will be needed include bases for wreathes (either pre-made ones or do-it-yourself ones such those made from pool noodles), glue, paint, scissors, felt or other decorative fabric. Some crafts may require more specialized materials such as plaster of paris, magnets, or tiles. A bit of preparation in advance may be required for those who chose to dry (or bake) their own materials and for those seniors who may have trouble handling knives for cutting fruit or using heavy irons. Crafts
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a selection of summer themed crafts that are appropriate for seniors, kids, or those with arthritis or other hand or dexterity issues. The tutorials use inexpensive & easy-to-find base materials such as rocks, shells, fabric, paper, and recyclable or upcyclable items such as empty plastic bottles.
The skills required include mostly painting, gluing, and cutting. For those seniors who may have a bit more trouble manipulating standard crafting tools, here are a selection of arthritis friendly scissors, paintbrushes, and other artist supplies. Summer Craft Tutorials
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are an assortment of recipes for a entire meal based on fresh in-season summer produce, meats, and sea foods that are suitable for those who have trouble either chewing or swallowing normal whole foods.
The degree of blending or pureeing needed will vary depending upon the swallowing ability of the eater. In addition additional thickeners may need to be added to drinks and thinner sauces for those who have more severe problems with swallowing. In such cases produce that leaves behind tiny seeds (such as strawberries, raspberries, or even the addition of chia seeds) should be avoided entirely or strained before serving.
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Here are a sampling of senior friendly festivals, exhibits, and other events that will be taking place around the Maryland region during the summer season. Most events focus on activities that revolve around the summer theme such as in-season produce & other foods, nature & animal fairs, and outdoor sports such as boating or balloon riding.
While many events take place outdoors in order to take advantage of the balmy sunny weather, keep in mind that seniors may need more help when it comes to seeking shade to avoid heat or sun overexposure, staying hydrated during outings, and keeping an eye out for handy places to sit when needed. Maryland Events
By Anna Hazard
Introduction
Spring has finally sprung and so it's time to shake off the dust (any last clinging snow flakes), put away those winter coats, and start enjoying those outside activities with senior loved ones during the mild weather between winter's chill and summer's heat.
Here are a selection of spring themed activities, festivals, and other outside gatherings that will helpfully bring a bit of sunshine into your life & spring into your step. This guide concentrates on those spring festivities that are mostly free or with inexpensive entrance fees around the Maryland area with a particular focus on the Baltimore region. Spring 2018 Activities
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