If there was ever a time to remember the happiness and love that you have shared with someone in your life, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to reminisce on the past. While not everyone still has their loved one around, you can still have an enjoyable day and season pondering love and precious friendships in an assisted living facility. Valentine’s Day is not always the easiest for seniors to go through. There may be times that this holiday brings up feelings of loneliness, but there are ways that you can make it special and full of love in places like assisted living Idaho Falls. You can bring so much comfort to residents by finding things to celebrate this Valentine’s Day and making it one to remember. What you do doesn’t have to be extravagant, but some thoughtful and well-placed activities can mean a lot for your residents during this special season.
Making and Decorating Treats
What better way to ring in the Valentine’s Day holiday than to make some sugary goodness? While chocolates and cookies are frequently consumed during this time, there are many ways you can branch out at a senior living facility that make this a fun day for everyone. It may appeal to your residents to decorate Valentines-themed cookies or chocolates or you could also take it a step forward and make some meals together. Festive themed food items could include:
- Strawberry flavored drinks or smoothies
- Heart-shaped foods like pancakes, cookies, tarts, or breads
- Fun desserts like chocolate cakes or berry pies
These activities can be age-appropriate and are quite engaging and rewarding. It is always fun to eat on Valentine’s Day and this could be just the ticket to connect with your residents and spark that joy and love through cooking and decorating foods and treats.
Romantic Movies and Music
Good movies and great music is a powerful way to bring about strong emotions of love and can bring some beautiful memories back to mind for your older residents. Many people connect with movies and music in a strong way, so implementing some of these ideas on Valentine’s Day could be a great, relaxing way to spend this holiday. Through some of the classic romantic movies, it could spark memories from their younger years that they might be willing to share with you. Music could bring up those good times as well and even influence some people to get up and dance and have a great time with one another. Having treats and spending quality time with seniors can create a great atmosphere of love and friendship on this holiday together.
Themed Games and Crafts
While there are many different games, activities, and crafts offered throughout the year, holidays provide a special time to gather supplies that revolve around the theme of Valentine’s Day. Having access to Valentine’s Day themed games and crafts will make that day just that much more special. Some of these ideas could include:
- Heart-shaped and pink puzzles and coloring and painting sheets
- Interactive games like charades or word games that have theme-related topics like “romance” or “candy”
- Ask the residents if they had any traditions they used to do and try to incorporate into those crafts and games as well
These activities can make this holiday full of love and relationships and can bring happiness to the residents, even if it is a hard time for some of them. The Idaho Falls assisted living facility is passionate about making positive memories and is committed to make everyone feel like they are home and surrounded by people who love them. An atmosphere of love and peace can be found when implementing some of these Valentine’s Day themed activities to help make this holiday the best that it can be.