As we get older, some of life’s simplest pleasures can become the most meaningful.
For an aging parent or someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, an afternoon doesn’t always need to involve an elaborate activity or destination. Sometimes you simply need the car keys, a comfortable passenger seat and a beautiful road.
And autumn may be the perfect time to take that drive.
Here in the Lehigh Valley, fall transforms the landscape. South Mountain begins changing from green to shades of yellow, orange and red. Farm fields turn golden. Roadside stands fill with pumpkins and apples. Familiar country roads suddenly look completely different beneath a canopy of colorful leaves.
For an older adult who doesn’t get out as frequently as they once did, a leisurely fall drive can provide a welcome change of scenery—and an opportunity to spend time together.
Why a Simple Car Ride Can Mean So Much
Think about how much of our lives have happened in cars.
Sunday drives. Family vacations. Driving children to school. Commuting to work. Trips to visit grandparents. Going to church. Picking up groceries.
For today’s older adults, “going for a drive” may itself be a familiar pastime.
A drive also provides stimulation without requiring a complicated activity. Your loved one can watch the scenery, listen to familiar music and experience the world outside while remaining comfortably seated.
For someone living with dementia, familiar landscapes can also encourage conversation and reminiscence.
You might pass a farm and hear Dad begin talking about his childhood.
An old church could remind Mom of Sunday mornings with her family.
Driving through Emmaus might prompt a story about a restaurant, store or house that disappeared decades ago.
Don’t turn those moments into memory tests.
Instead of asking, “Don’t you remember this place?” try saying, “This reminds me of the stories you told about growing up.”
Then see where the conversation goes.
Nature Has a Wonderful Way of Slowing Us Down
Fall adds another dimension to the experience.
Colorful trees, changing fields, mountain views, streams and wildlife provide plenty to observe without demanding anything from the passenger.
At South Mountain Memory Care, nature is incorporated into resident life through features including a secure Therapy Garden, front porch and nature-based activities. SMMC’s activity philosophy emphasizes experiences that support residents physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
Families can embrace the same philosophy during a visit.
Roll the window down on a comfortable afternoon.
Play music your parent enjoyed when they were younger.
Stop for cider or ice cream.
Point out an especially beautiful tree.
And don’t worry about filling every minute with conversation.
Sometimes just watching Pennsylvania’s countryside pass by the window is enough.
5 Beautiful Fall Drives Around the Lehigh Valley
Fortunately, families around Emmaus don’t have to travel far to find spectacular scenery.
1. Emmaus to the Lehigh Parkway. For a shorter outing, begin around Emmaus and make your way toward Lehigh Parkway in Allentown. The parkway follows the Little Lehigh Creek and offers a beautiful combination of water, mature trees and open green space. It’s a good option when a longer excursion might be tiring.
2. The Lehigh Valley Covered Bridge Tour. For something quintessentially Pennsylvania, explore a portion of the Lehigh Valley’s Covered Bridge Tour. The complete driving tour is roughly 50 miles and connects seven historic covered bridges dating to the 1800s. You don’t need to complete the entire route—choose a few bridges, enjoy the surrounding countryside and turn around whenever your passenger is ready.
3. Schnecksville and Trexler Nature Preserve. Head north toward Trexler Nature Preserve. This 1,108-acre preserve combines rolling hills, meadows, wooded areas and deep ravines, creating some beautiful autumn scenery. Depending on the route and conditions, the journey can be just as enjoyable as the destination.
4. Route 611 and the Slate Belt. From the Easton area, follow Route 611 north toward the Slate Belt. Discover Lehigh Valley specifically recommends cruising Route 611 to experience fall foliage around communities including Nazareth and Bangor. For a longer adventure, portions of the Delaware River corridor provide beautiful views of wooded hillsides, historic communities and the river itself. The National Park Service identifies a 17-mile section of this corridor as the Delaware River Valley Scenic Byway.
5. Northwestern Lehigh County and Blue Mountain. Take a leisurely drive toward New Tripoli, Germansville and the base of Blue Mountain. The rural roads of northwestern Lehigh County offer farmland, wooded hills and expansive views. Families may recognize Bake Oven Knob as one of the area’s famous overlooks, but enjoying the scenery doesn’t require making the rocky hike to the viewpoint. The drive itself can be the activity.
Make the Outing About the Person, Not the Destination
When taking an older adult—particularly someone living with dementia—for a drive, keep the person’s abilities and comfort level in mind.
Choose a time of day when they’re normally alert and content. Keep the trip relatively short at first. Bring water, medications or other essentials, and know where you can easily find a restroom.
Avoid complicated itineraries.
If your loved one becomes tired or anxious, simply head home.
And remember: you don’t need to arrive anywhere for the outing to be successful.
Take the Long Way Home
There’s something wonderful about taking the long way home when the leaves are changing.
Maybe Dad won’t remember tomorrow exactly where you drove.
Maybe Mom won’t remember the brilliant red maple you stopped to admire.
But that doesn’t mean the afternoon didn’t matter.
There was fresh air.
There was music.
There was conversation.
There was companionship.
And there was an opportunity to experience another beautiful autumn in the Lehigh Valley together.
At South Mountain Memory Care in Emmaus, understanding each resident’s individual history, preferences and favorite pastimes is an important part of creating meaningful daily experiences. The locally owned community specializes exclusively in memory care and uses a small-house model designed to provide a comfortable, familiar environment.
Take a Drive—and Come Visit Us
If you’re caring for a parent or loved one whose memory, safety or daily care needs are changing, consider making South Mountain Memory Care one of the stops on your next drive.
Come see our home-like neighborhoods, private suites, Therapy Garden and the personalized approach that makes South Mountain different.
Schedule a tour of South Mountain Memory Care at 201 S. 7th Street in Emmaus or call 610-965-7662. Sometimes seeing a community in person is the best way to know whether it feels right for someone you love.
