Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to show not just your significant other, but everyone in your life how important and special they are to you. Senior loved ones hold special places in our hearts, but sometimes it can be hard to know how to brighten their day, especially on a day like Valentine’s Day. Here are a few ideas to help you spread the love and bring some cheer to those special seniors in your life.
Gift them something they can cherish.
While chocolates or jewelry may not be the gift best fit for your senior loved one, something he/she can keep and hold dear may be the perfect gift. Send or deliver in person a card or letter that lets your loved one know how much they mean to you. Write down a story or favorite memory you share with them and include why you love and remember that particular memory. Create a piece of art for them or take a special photo of you and your family, or even you and your loved one, and gift it to them in a nice picture frame. Show them something he/she gave you that you have kept and tell about why that particular item is special to you. The latest and greatest in technology or household items does not usually appeal much to senior citizens; they appreciate memories they can hold on to and cherish.
Brighten up their living environment.
Flowers are a Valentine’s Day staple and can be a great way to freshen up and add color to any room, but you may want to take a different approach with your senior loved one. Bringing in an easy-to-care-for houseplant will add life to any room. However, if your senior loved one has pets, make sure the house plant you bring in is not poisonous to animals. Pictures in frames can help bring back fond memories and add warmth to any room. Make sure your senior loved one has enough lighting in his/her home. If proper lighting is not there, bring in some lamps as gifts. Not only will this improve the living environment and make it safer for your loved one to get around the house, but mood can be greatly influenced by lighting. If you want to take it a step further, see if your loved one has cleaning or house chores needing done that could greatly improve his/her home, or even add a fresh, light colored coat of paint to the walls in the home. This is a Valentine’s Day gift that gives all year!
Spend some quality one-on-one time.
Seniors want what we all desire: to spend quality time with the people we love. If your senior loved one lives close, make plans to spend an afternoon having lunch and playing a board game or cards. Go on a special outing together and create a new memory. Spend time looking through photographs and listening to stories. Cook a favorite family recipe and enjoy it together. Unfortunately, we all cannot live close to the people we love. If your senior loved one lives far away, make an extended phone call or even video chat, if that technology is available to you. Time spent together lets your senior loved ones know that they are important and are absolutely worthy of your time and attention.