Valentine’s Day is a holiday to recognize love of all types. However, it can serve as a sad reminder for senior citizens about a loved one who has passed away. If you have an aging loved one in your life you suspect will be feeling lonely and sad on Valentine’s Day, below are some ways you can help them to feel comforted and gently remind them of the many others who love them. Valentine’s isn’t just a day for couples, it’s a day set aside to show our love for each other, and it’s a holiday that everyone should have the opportunity to celebrate. Regardless of the stage of life you are in, you deserve to have the chance to feel extra loved this Valentine’s Day.
Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day activities you can do with your aging loved one!
Match The Famous Couples
Create a list of 10-20 famous couples (fictional and real) for your residents to match up. Some examples: Romeo and Juliet; Fred Flintstone and Wilma; Prince William and Kate; John Lennon and Yoko Ono… you get the idea! Give each person a list of the names scrambled in 2 columns and have them match up the couples, one point for each correct answer. The winner gets a prize!
Watch Romantic Movies or Rom-Coms with your Senior
Some of your residents may like to revisit an old-time classic like Casablanca (1942) or It Happened One Night (1934), while others may enjoy more modern classics like The Notebook (2004) or Forever My Girl (2017). Search online for “Top Romantic/Comedy Movies” for more ideas.
Simply Be There
Most importantly, your time and presence can add a lot of happiness to a day that might have otherwise been lonely. Sometimes the most powerful and most needed form of love is just being present and being a listening ear. Take the time to show your love for your senior friends this holiday by visiting them or participating in fun activities. Simple acts like these can make a big difference in the lives of your loved ones.
Spend Valentine’s Day Outdoors
Taking your senior loved one out on Valentine’s Day will bring them enjoyment and excitement. You can visit a local attraction like a museum or a stately home or go for a walk in the park. Even better – you can ask your family member if there is anywhere in particular that they’d like to go.
Getting out of the home and spending time with loved ones will help your senior focus less on what they’ve lost and more on what they have now, reminding them that life is good and they are still loved and valued.
Write DIY Valentine’s Day Haiku Poetry
February is the shortest month. No wonder it’s also National Haiku Month, celebrating the shortest form of poetry. A DIY haiku writing workshop is one of the best Valentine’s Day activities for seniors. While haiku doesn’t rhyme, poems follow this format:
Line 1 – 5 syllables
Line 2 – 7 syllables
Line 3 – 5 syllables
Name That Love Song
Who doesn’t love song trivia? Start by making a playlist with some of the greatest love songs (old and new), and play the first couple of bars before allowing your senior loved one to guess the artist or song title. Remember to be very generous with points. The idea is to have a lot of fun without being too competitive.
Remember, if you need advice, guidance, or resources to assist with an aging loved one – Senior Resource Connectors is here to help. Get in touch via email, or give us a call today!
