During the holiday's seniors often get overlooked, especially if they are in nursing homes or if they are no longer to venture out on their own. Why not find unique ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with seniors?
Here are a few amazing ways to celebrate Thanksgiving to thank your senior loved ones:
Spend the Day at the Orchard or Pumpkin Patch Spend the day at the local apple orchard or pumpkin patch with your family. Pick a bag of apples or choose a pumpkin for the Thanksgiving pie or jack-o-lantern. Enjoy a hay ride and spend some quality outdoors playing with the kids. Most orchards and farms are well prepared for visitors and seasonal activities for all ages.
Visit Shut-ins Once you've finished dinner and are stuck with a bunch of holiday leftovers, create individual meal packages and visit a few of the shut-ins that live in your neighborhood. Go see family members who are no longer able to drive and that may not have visitors. Elderly shut-ins love to have company and the food is an added bonus!
Story Time at a Family Gathering Take time at your family Thanksgiving gathering to share stories. Elderly family members can tell stories of Thanksgiving holidays that are long past and how the times have changed. It allows them to revisit a period of time when life was simpler and you know what it was like to be truly thankful for everything you had. It's also educational for the kids.
Create a Family History/Tree Board Create a large family tree on a piece of poster board or wood. Have people find where they belong and add their name. The tree will continue to grow as more and more people arrive at the gathering. It allows the elders to see the growth within the family and gives children a good idea of where they come from.
Involve Seniors in Making Thanksgiving Crafts Create a few holiday crafts and custom home décor using thanksgiving themes to display during the Thanksgiving party. For example, you could purchase some candles and have your loved one add a quick note or message like, “thank youâ€. Another great idea is to decorate an empty jar in which all your family members can put their Thanksgiving messages.
Play Your Loved One's Favorite Game Together Most family reunions involve traditions like playing a game or two together. Seniors may have personal favorites like bingo, different types of card games, and more. Most grandparents cherish these moments to connect with their grandchildren during the holidays.
Plan a Thanksgiving Meal You can show appreciation to your elderly parents or senior loved ones by making their favorite dish or meal. Involve them in decorating the dining table with candles and flowers as well. During dinner, talk about what you are grateful for and rekindle cherished memories together.
Create and Share a Surprise Family Video Before dinner, record a series of videos in which family members and loved ones talk about why they are thankful for each other. Encourage them to share their favorite stories. You can play these videos as a surprise for your senior loved ones after the Thanksgiving dinner.
If your family needs additional assistance during the holiday season, Newport Home Care has caregivers available 24/7. Contact us for in-home senior care services today at 949-514-8303!
There are many ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with your seniors. A visit or phone call means more to them than most people realize. Taking the time to include them in the celebration, no matter what the activity is priceless.
