For many, Thanksgiving is a time spent with family and loved ones, but what if your senior loved one can’t attend this year’s festivities? We provide some tips for making Thanksgiving special for seniors who live far away.
This year, families around the country may be doing different things for the holidays–some may feel safe celebrating together, while others may be opting for a long-distance celebration for various reasons. If your senior does not live close by or is unable to attend Thanksgiving, this may be a tricky time in your household. Consider the below tips to make them feel included irrespective of the distance between you.
How to Do Thanksgiving from Afar, Together
Sometimes the mere knowledge that activities are happening at the same time can bring comfort to seniors who may be alone during Thanksgiving. Try eating at the same time, or doing meal preparations together via Zoom or FaceTime. This way, a greater feeling of inclusion is brought about which can help eradicate feelings of loneliness.
Run a virtual 5k together or watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade or a football game at the same time as your senior. It doesn’t have to be complex to be effective.
Catching up during the early morning food prep can also be a great way to make your senior feel included. As many know, it is usually this time spent in the kitchen that gives way to deeper conversations and a general feeling of togetherness.
Another great way to foster a feeling of togetherness is to incorporate familiar tastes and smells. If you can’t be with your senior loved one in person, try making a well-loved dish that will remind you of them. It’s comforting knowing that the meal you are enjoying comes from a place of love and that your senior would be happy to know how much their dish adds to the festivities.
GatheredAgain.com has a helpful list of activities you can do with your senior to make Thanksgiving extra special.
How to Make Thanksgiving Special in an Assisted Living Community
If you’re unable to bring your senior to your home to celebrate Thanksgiving, but they are within driving distance, then taking Thanksgiving to them is the next best thing.
You can either visit them at their community before the festivities start at home, or even plan to split up your meal into segments and bring some dessert to your senior to enjoy together. Most senior living communities do have special meals or events planned on Thanksgiving to cater to those who have little to no remaining family left, but if you can go spread the holiday cheer and invite some of the lonely seniors to join in on some laughs and fun, it could make a world of a difference.
Creating holiday crafts with your senior or helping them make gifts for loved ones can also go a long way in combating loneliness. Looking through old photo albums and reminiscing with seniors as they share stories is also a great way to bring about happy nostalgia.
Plan to attend an event like a holiday concert, pageant, game night, or festival – many senior living communities have these on their monthly activity schedules, so keep a lookout for upcoming entertainment.
You can also plan ahead of time with your senior’s living community to reserve a private dining room and do Thanksgiving on a smaller scale at your senior’s care facility. It doesn’t have to be on the day to make it special, a day before or after the festivities is also okay.
How about taking your senior for a drive to see the holiday lights and décor?
Remember to check in with your senior loved ones to establish how they are feeling so you can act accordingly if holiday blues start to sink in. Sending a care package containing some of their favorite treats, with a handwritten card can go a long way in uplifting your senior’s mood.