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Involving Your Senior in Thanksgiving Festivities

Involving Your Senior in Thanksgiving Festivities

As our senior loved ones age, it can be hard for them to do the things they once did and loved to do, such as hosting holiday dinners for the entire family. Realizing their advancing age and often declining abilities means they can’t cook for 30 people anymore can often be disheartening or depressing for them. As we head into the holidays season, it is important to take their abilities, mindset and desires into account when planning for Thanksgiving and beyond. While they may not be able to host the get-together to the level they once did, that doesn’t mean they can’t participate and play an integral part in the Thanksgiving festivities. There are many ways to involve your senior loved one in Thanksgiving festivities this year. 

Get Their Input on the Menu

While maybe your senior loved one can’t cook the entire meal this year, they can be a part of the preparation. Have them help you decide on the menu. If they have any dietary concerns, be sure to take those into consideration. Let them write down the shopping list, and then head to the store together to pick out what you need. If they are up for cooking something, let them select which dish they want to make this year. Depending on what the dish is, you can even help prepare it together ahead of time, so that on the day of the event they don’t need to worry about it. Have them pick out the pies and desserts your family will feast on following the main course. You can even prepare one of the sweets ahead of time together, giving you time together and ensuring they realize their contributions are an important part of the feast.

Give Them Important Tasks

While cleaning their entire house for guests may not be possible for your senior loved one, they can help you if you have taken over hosting duties this year. If they are able, they can do some light housework preparations. Or to save them from having to clean at all, give them some of the more fun tasks, such as arranging the centerpiece or picking out flowers for the table. While seated, they can fill the salt and pepper shakers, put the napkins in rings and write out place cards.

Make Sure to Include Them

Even if it seems overwhelming to them, and to you, do your best to get your senior loved one to the Thanksgiving celebrations this year. In the end, you will be thankful they were a part of it. If they can’t make it, ensure they are not alone for the holiday. After your other guests leave, gather up their favorite goodies and bring the leftovers to their house to enjoy a smaller version of your Thanksgiving dinner. If you aren’t in the same town, send them a fall-themed bouquet in the mail and some goodies to eat. Reach out to their friends or family members in the town where they live, and ensure that someone can stop by and visit with them for the holiday so that they are not alone.

Put Them At The Center of the Action

At the Thanksgiving day festivities, don’t stick your senior loved one alone in a corner, where they will feel left out this year. Try to put them at the center of the action, so they can talk to everyone without having to get up and move around and will feel a part of the group. Having them in the center will also allow them to better hear what is happening around them. But be mindful if they are getting overstimulated though. If so, it might be time to accompany them to a comfortable chair on the outskirts of the group so they can relax and decompress for a bit.

Engage Them

Ask your senior loved one to tell stories of their childhood Thanksgivings. Use it to spark conversation among the guests at the table. Before the meal begins, have everyone - including your senior - go around the table and tell what they are thankful for this year. It will help them feel a part of the action. As you’re considering where to seat your senior loved one, find someone they haven’t seen in awhile so they can catch up. Or place them near someone that loves to not only talk, but also listen, so your senior loved one can tell them stories too. 

Here to Help 

If you need assistance with your senior loved one this Thanksgiving as they enjoy the season, we can help. A Visiting Angels in-home caregiver can help with everything from providing companionship during fall crafts at home, to helping them get ready for an adventure outside of the home.

With clients in The Villages, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park, and other communities in Lake and Sumter counties, we are experts at helping 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.

Serving The Villages, Lady Lake and Fruitland Park, Florida

Visiting Angels SERVING THE VILLAGES
13940 SE Hwy 441 #204
Lady Lake, FL 32159
Phone: 352-643-0702
299995316

Serving The Villages, Lady Lake and Fruitland Park, Florida

Visiting Angels SERVING THE VILLAGES
13940 SE Hwy 441 #204
Lady Lake, FL 32159
Phone: 352-643-0702
299995316

"All of the care givers have been kind and attentive to my husband. I think the office staff also has been attentive to my needs and requests. Kindness and attentiveness makes for excellent care!"

– Char K. (More reviews here)

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐