Thanksgiving Ideas for Seniors: 5 Ways to Celebrate

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and many families are starting to make preparations for their celebrations. This holiday is a great opportunity to gather with friends and family to share a meal, show gratitude, and enjoy the company of the people we love most. If you are preparing to celebrate the day with your adult parents or grandparents, here are a few Thanksgiving ideas for seniors to make the day enjoyable for everyone.

1. Keep Traditions Alive

Many seniors struggle with not being able to participate as actively in Thanksgiving preparations. You might consider making an effort to ensure that your senior feels included this holiday. Ask about their favorite recipe or talk about how they celebrated thanksgiving when they were children. Delegating small tasks like folding napkins, or helping you decorate will make seniors feel involved without adding stress.

2. Make it Comfortable

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, don’t forget that your senior may need assistance during the day. Consider asking a relative to help your senior get their food, drink, or help find a place to sit and rest. Thanksgiving day can be exhausting, so you might consider setting a time limit or organizing rides to and from the party.

3. Show Your Gratitude

What’s a better time to show your senior how much you care about them than Thanksgiving? It sounds cliché, but going around the dinner table and taking time to say what you are grateful for will mean a lot to your senior. If you don’t always take the time to tell your senior that you appreciate them, try doing so this Thanksgiving holiday.

4. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Get your senior excited for the holiday season by taking them to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard. Call the facility before your trip to ask any questions you might have. If your senior needs assistance or uses a wheel chair, make sure to ask about handicap accessibility. Many patches let you pick your own pumpkin, or you can always choose from preselected items. End the day with carving or decorating your pumpkins with paints.

5. Enjoy the Day

Mix up the day by trying something new or creating a new family tradition. You might consider taking a walk, watching a Thanksgiving-themed movie, or making a new dish. Spending time together is the most important part of the holiday, so why not make it fun?

Always remember that Thanksgiving is about being together. No matter where you are or how you plan to celebrate, remember to tell your loved ones how much you care about them. Our Carespring skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Dayton, Cincinnati, and Northern Kentucky wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving!