Celebrating Halloween with your Senior

The holidays are perfect occasions to spend quality time with your aging parent and have fun. Halloween is just around the corner and provides many opportunities for family activities. Your senior may be hesitant to spend the evening alone if they don’t feel safe or comfortable with trick-or-treaters coming around. Or their mobility may make it more difficult to get to and from the door repeatedly or to decorate. Here are a few ideas for making Halloween memorable this year:

Trick-or-Treat together. Invite your loved one over to go trick-or-treating with the grandchildren. Make sure that they are able to keep up and are comfortable and safe walking along in the dark. You can also man the door together and hand out candy to children that stop by. Seeing the kids in costumes and having fun can bring back wonderful memories.

Decorate festively. You can decorate your home or theirs or both. Pick out some simple, safe décor to help everyone get in the spirit. You could also spend time making some decorations together and getting the grandchildren involved as well. This can provide them with some homemade keepsakes that they can use for following years.

Have a party. Host a small get-together or take your senior along to a party. You can enjoy the evening together talking and celebrating with friends. It can be a nice change for them to get out and socialize. They can help to make Halloween-themed treats and pick out a costume of their own. Just make sure that it doesn’t pose any safety concerns, such as making it more difficult to walk or see.

Watch a movie. If you are looking for a more low-key evening, gather together and watch a spooky movie. There are many great family friendly movies for Halloween. You can also ask your senior what their favorite one is and bring back old memories. Let them reminisce about celebrating Halloween when they were younger and the things they used to do.

Use this time to create new memories, carry out old traditions, and enjoy each other’s company. If you can’t be with your senior, try to arrange to have a friend, neighbor, or caregiver visit with them. This can ensure that they are not alone and help them to make the most of the evening. It can give them companionship if they decide to hand out candy and help improve their safety overall. Whether your senior is looking for a quiet evening at home or to be more active and involved, there are plenty of options for celebrating together.

Celebrating Grandparents Day with your Senior

September 7, 2014 is National Grandparents Day. This is a day to celebrate the grandparents in your life and let them know how much they are appreciated and loved. You can glean a lot from their wisdom and life experience. When it comes to celebrating, it is often the thought that counts. Here are some simple ways that you and your family can celebrate this year:

Have grandchildren make keepsakes. You don’t have to spend money on gifts that you don’t know whether they will need or use. Make a gift from the heart. Drawing a picture, singing a song, or giving them a memorable photograph can have a big impact. Grandparents can even teach their grandchildren how to make some of their favorite crafts from childhood.

Prepare a favorite meal. Cook up some of their favorite foods and have a family dinner. Getting grandparents involved can help to pass on traditions and family recipes. Many families have recipes that have been passed down through generations and hold special meaning. This can be a great time to both share and create memories.

Look through photo albums. Enjoy spending time listening to stories from the past and seeing pictures of grandparents in their younger years and with other family members and friends. Ask them about trips they went on, events they experienced, and other memorable times. Oftentimes they are glad to reminisce and reflect. This can also be a beneficial way to learn about family history.

Visit favorite places. Perhaps an old restaurant, park, home, or city holds special meaning to your grandparent. Find out if there is anywhere they would like to go, or plan a trip to somewhere you know they enjoy.

Take a family photo. What better time to update current family photo albums? Document your day together and the memories created. This will provide a wonderful keepsake and something to look back on in future years together.

Spend time together. Sometimes the best way to celebrate is simply by being together. Make it a point to limit distractions and focus on appreciating your grandparents. Show them how much they are loved and appreciated and that you value the time you are able to spend together. Ask questions about their life and tell them about yours. Catch up and build new memories while reflecting on old ones.

Make your grandparents feel special this year by putting thought and consideration into your celebration. Plan a day that they will remember, even if it is just sitting playing games and enjoying a meal together. It is the thought that counts and showing them that you care.