Birdwatching Made Easy for Seniors: How to Create the Perfect Backyard Bird Haven
Seniors Helping Seniors - Boulder
For more information about the author, click to view their website: Seniors Helping Seniors
Nov 13, 2024
Colorado - Boulder County
Birdwatching is more than just a delightful pastime—it’s a wonderful way to connect with nature, boost your mood, and enjoy some gentle outdoor activity. For seniors, creating a backyard haven specifically designed for birdwatching can offer endless hours of joy and relaxation.
Imagine the pleasure of sipping a cup of tea while watching colorful feathered friends' flit and chirp just outside your window. In this Seniors Helping Seniors® guide, we’ll walk you through simple, accessible ideas to transform your backyard into a serene wildlife retreat that makes birdwatching accessible, enjoyable, and enriching.
But first, let’s talk about why birdwatching is such a great hobby for seniors.
A Full Flock of Mental Perks
Birdwatching provides seniors with a perfect blend of mental stimulation and physical activity. It boosts mental sharpness by challenging seniors to recognize and remember different birds. Physically, birdwatching encourages light, manageable exercise that promotes circulation and flexibility, whether you’re walking around your garden or simply standing and observing.
The Seniors Helping Seniors® team encourages you to enjoy the dual benefits of stress relief and gentle movement as you immerse yourself in this engaging hobby.
Attracting Birds to Your Backyard
Want to turn your backyard into a bustling bird haven? It’s easier than you might think! With a few thoughtful additions, you can transform your outdoor space into a welcoming environment that draws in a variety of beautiful avian visitors.
Bird Feeders
- Types of Feeders: Place bird feeders at eye level a comfortable distance from your desired viewing point. There are plenty of options that cater to different avian species. Platform feeders accommodate a wide range of birds, but tube feeders are best for small birds, and suet feeders are designed to attract woodpeckers and other insect-eaters.
- Bird Seed Selection: Research your native bird species to determine which kind of seed they prefer. Use seeds that attract a variety of birds, such as sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, and suet cakes.
Bird Baths
- Design: Choose a bird bath with a shallow, easy-to-clean basin and a gentle slope to make it accessible for all types of birds. You can also use shallow dishes or bowls with a textured surface to make it easy for birds to drink and bathe.
- Maintenance: Clean the bath every few days to prevent algae growth and disease. Consider a solar-powered fountain to keep the water moving, which helps attract more birds and keeps the bath cleaner longer.
Natural Elements
- Bird-Friendly Plants: Berry-producing shrubs like holly and elderberry provide food for various species while flowering plants such as coneflowers and bee balm attract nectar-loving birds like hummingbirds. Find out what’s native to your local area before planting.
- Nest Boxes: Birds can be picky when it comes to real estate. To attract your desired bird species, make sure to pick the right home for them. Birdhouses with small entrance holes attract wrens and chickadees, while larger holes are suited for woodpeckers and blue jays.
With the right mix of feeders, bird baths, and natural elements, you’ll soon be enjoying a lively and picturesque birdwatching experience right from your own home. Seniors Helping Seniors® caregivers are always happy to help with light yard work, so you can achieve the backyard paradise of your dreams.
Take Birdwatching to New Heights
Ask your Seniors Helping Seniors® caregiver to help you set up a comfortable chair and a pair of binoculars by your favorite bird-friendly spot in the backyard. Pick a location that’s both close to your bird feeders and free from hazards like uneven ground or sharp objects. Consider adding a side table for holding binoculars or a bird guidebook, and make sure the area is well-lit for ease of use. Installing a small, shaded awning can provide comfort on sunny days while having a nearby rail or support for stability can enhance safety.
As you settle in, note the different species that visit and consider keeping a journal of your observations. You can also bring your mobile phone or a digital camera to practice capturing photos of your flying friends. Each venture will reveal something new—whether it’s a flash of color from a rare bird or the charming antics of a familiar species.
Birdwatching is not just about spotting birds; it’s about experiencing the calming rhythm of nature and finding pleasure in the small, everyday miracles. This peaceful, rewarding hobby sparks joy and also fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural world around you.
- To view the original version of this article visit seniorshelpingseniors.com/seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services/birdwatching-made-easy-for-seniors-how-to-create-the-perfect-backyard-bird-haven/
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
Other Articles You May Like
About Dignity Care
Dignity Care is a homegrown business in Boulder.In the 1990s, Mary Kirk, a registered dietitian, began caregiving for family and relatives. Her husband, Ged, offered a companion travel service for the elderly and disabled. Together they established Dignity Care, LLC in 1997 as a home care business with just two caregivers and a home office.As demand for home care service increased, Mary recruited additional caregivers, but always with an emphasis on the compassionate, respectful, personalized care that was Dignity Cares trademark. Mary created her own approach to senior home care, unique in this area.With this dedication and passion to provide the best caregivers in the Boulder County region, Dignity Care has continued to grow and in 2009 became licensed as a Class A home care provider. We specialize in using Certified Nursing Assistants on our teams so we can bring you the skill and experience you deserve, if you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.
In Home Care Helps Seniors with Depression
Too many seniors grapple with isolation and depression, but these are not a normal part of growing older. They are treatable medical illnesses, much like heart disease or diabetes. Depression is a serious illness affecting approximately 15 out of every 100 adults over age 65 in the United States.Seniors experiencing feelings of depression and isolation have a higher risk of hospital admissions, as well as a higher risk for being scammed. Not to mention it makes for a miserable life.So, what can you do? Helping seniors stay healthy means more than ensuring they get good physical care. Individuals living alone miss out on the stimulation of interactions with others on a regular basis. Our caregivers serve that dual purpose of providing physical care and social connection. We enjoy our clients, building a relationship with them, and sharing the highs and lows of their days. Caregivers can laugh with their clients and be an empathetic ear. We make sure our clients are getting out of the house and attending events and activities that interest them.Hiring a caregiver to help out, even for a couple of hours each week, brings conversation and spark along with the physical help. Caregivers are a good antidote for depression. If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.
Why Is Staying Hydrated So Difficult for Seniors?
Hot summer days are a good time for everyone to think about staying hydrated. For older adults the topic of hydration is a year-round discussion that never goes away. Its a serious issue for most seniors but doesnt get resolved because it needs to be addressed every day and cant be solved with a pill.Seniors have a very high risk for dehydration, which is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization after the age of 65. They have a greater risk of dehydration for many reasons, including the fact that as we age, our kidneys become less efficient at conserving fluids, our sense of thirst weakens, and we are less able to adjust to changes in temperature. Some medications like diuretics, sedatives, and laxatives can also cause increased fluid loss.Dehydration can cause temporary symptoms that mimic symptoms of Alzheimers. If dementia-like symptoms seem to appear suddenly, it could be dehydration which is easily curable.Symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, confusion, lethargy, increased heart rate, sunken eyes, dry mouth, dark colored urine. Urine should be clear to pale yellow. I tell my clients that if their urine is darker than pale yellow, they should head straight to the kitchen from the bathroom and drink a full glass of water. Keeping a glass of water beside you all day to sip on rarely results in someone drinking enough fluids. Its more effective to drink the entire glass, even if its a small glass. Seniors cant rely on their sense of thirst to tell them when to drink water. Scheduling a glass at each meal and/or after a bathroom visit, making sure to drink the full glass, is the best way to make sure youve gotten your full daily amount.If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.
Local Services By This Author
Seniors Helping Seniors
Non-Medical 4440 North 109th Street, Lafayette, Colorado, 80026Seniors Helping Seniors is a nationally franchised non-medical, in-home care service which matches seniors who need help with seniors who want to help. We are unique because we focus on the relationship between your loved one and the care provider. Our care providers have had background investigations and are trained and competent to perform any tasks associated with in-home care, including personal care, dementia care, overnight and 24/7 care as well as companionship, meal prep, light housekeeping, running errands and taking our clients on outings or to appointments. At Seniors Helping Seniors Boulder County, we have a passion for meeting the needs of seniors in a way that provides both dignity and a sense of camaraderie. We match seniors who need a hand with mature, active women and men who have a passion for helping others. Our owner, Colleen Elliott, takes great pride serving seniors throughout Boulder County, Broomfield, Brighton, and surrounding communities.