Ways to Warm Your Senior's Heart During Heart Month

It’s the month of love. Young or old, everyone loves to be thought of, especially at this time of the year, during Heart Month. Senior citizens are no exception. As you think of ways to show the favorite seniors in your life that you love them and that they are special to you, consider some of these 20 ways to warm your senior’s heart during Heart Month.

1. Make a homemade card. It is a perfect time of the year to use dainty doilies to make an old-fashioned Valentine for your senior loved one. For even more fun, make some homemade cards together to hand out to their friends and loved ones. Make sure you write a special note in the card you are giving to your senior loved one, and make it personal.
2. Have a hot chocolate bar for your senior citizen. Even if the weather outside is warm, you can cozy up inside on a February day with hot chocolate and all the fixings. Have different flavored whipped creams on hand, as well as red sprinkles for heart month to top their hot chocolate with.
3. Plan time together. Talk with your senior loved one about things they would love to do this month, and then put some dates on the calendar to be together. It doesn't even have to be anything fancy. Maybe they just want to be near you and go for walks together. Mark every Tuesday morning as “Walk with Mom Day” on the calendar so they have something to look forward to.
4. Look through old photos with them. Be attentive as they share stories. Share some of your own fond memories to show them how much the moments captured in those photos meant to you.
5. Sign up for a class together. Whether you both want to give yoga a try or you want to learn to make a fresh seafood stir fry. Find something that would be fun for you to do together, and sign up for the class as a fun present and outing with your senior loved one.
6. As spring nears, help them prepare to switch their wardrobe over to the new season. You can help them clean out their closet while they’re at it, and drop off what they don’t want to a donation bin.
7. Head over for a day trip to the Henegar Center and see a show with your senior. They have some timeless classics this month, including “My Fair Lady”, as well as a “Country Roads” themed show in April, featuring music from favorites such as Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash. 
8. Help cross off their to-do list. Go through it this month and help give them some peace of mind by tackling some of the projects they never get to, but which nag at them. 
9. Instead of just telling them about your favorite new coffee shop, take them. Let them taste for themselves what you love so much about it. Try a seasonal drink, such as a red velvet latte.
10. Host a fondue night for your senior. Bring out their retro fondue pots and melt some cheese and chocolate for a fun, festive February dinner and dessert night. Don’t forget to cut up some strawberries to dip into the chocolate. 
11. Try pickleball together. It’s the latest rage, and your senior needs to be part of the new trend. Get some cute rackets and give it a try. 
12. Head to the West Coast with your senior for a beach day. Take in the views at Clearwater or Daytona. Grab a blanket or folding chairs and watch the sunset together. 
13. Bring them to the doctor. Nothing says you care more about your senior than ensuring their health is on track. Help them make the appointment, and then accompany them so they don’t have to go alone. Discuss beforehand any concerns they might have, and help them voice those during the appointment. 
14. See how the other half lives. For a Valentine’s gift, get tickets now for you and your senior to A Walk Through Time in April. As part of the event from the Historic Ocala Preservation Society, you’ll get to walk through six historical homes, starting with Bryant House. You’ll get to hear historic facts about homes from guides and see the amazing architecture that personifies the area. 
15. Make some heart-shaped cookies with your senior citizens. Try some raspberry linzers and don’t forget to top them with powdered sugar.
16. Plan a movie day filled with romantic films. Do a marathon of the best romance movies your senior loved over the years. Maybe introduce them to one of your favorites. Don’t forget the snacks. 
17. Spend the day not looking at your phone, and instead putting your full focus on your senior loved one. They will be grateful for the attention.
18. Plan ahead together for a spring garden. Figure out which flowers they want to plant, and if they want to grow any fruits or veggies. Planning for it now, and then setting a date to shop for it and plant will give them fun now, and something to look forward to. The growth of the garden also will give them enjoyment all year long.
19. Make some festive decorations with your senior. Craft with them and make a bright red and pink Valentine's wreath for their front door. Cut out some cute paper hearts for their patio door, and write a fun saying on them such as “Be Mine” or “Thankful for You.”
20. Plan a spa day for your senior loved one. Pamper them with a foot spa and by painting their nails in a bright cherry red for the season. 

Visiting Angels Can Help

At Visiting Angels, our compassionate caregivers can help ensure your senior loved ones feel cared for this month, and every month of the year. Our professionally-trained caregivers at Visiting Angels Serving The Villages can help with many tasks your senior might need assistance with, and/or they can simply help by being there as a trusted companion. Our caregivers can sit with them and do crossword puzzles or bake, they can have conversations, ensure they are eating their meals, and help ensure they are moving about the home safely. Our caregivers also can help with everyday needs, such as help with toileting, bathing and getting ready each morning to specialty needs such as dementia care.

Our caregivers serve seniors in The Villages, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park and other communities in Lake and Sumter counties. We can help your seniors maintain meaningful lives. For information on helpers in Lake and Sumter Counties, contact us online or call us at (352) 643-0702. Our main office is located at 367 Fennell Blvd.