Senior-Friendly Thanksgiving Activities
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Thanksgiving, for some, is the time for friends and family to get together. Sometimes mobility and physical limitations get in the way and makes things more challenging for the older loved ones in your life when celebrating holidays. But, limitations should not stop you from including them in holiday activities as it helps keep them engaged with family and friends and combat feelings of isolation.
1. Decorate the Home
This is a family favorite activity! Grab some lights, wreaths, and pumpkins and go to town. This activity enhances seniors’ cognitive skills and tap into their creative side. You can even ask them to bring out their favorite decoration or two they have and hang them up.
2. Host Thanksgiving
This gives seniors the time to bond with friends and family they haven’t seen in a while. Is there a new recipe an older loved ones wants to try? Have them try it! Great bonding activity and a mood enhancer.
3. Thanksgiving BINGO
Playing games helps seniors work on their memory. BINGO is a great game to promote that. You can find printable Thanksgiving BINGO cards here.
4. Thanksgiving Themed Word Puzzles
Brain buster games like word searches and crosswords help cognitive memory.Involve these this holiday season and have the whole family work on it together!
5. Gratitude Crafts
Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate all the things and people you’re thankful for. Take time to plan doing a craft expressing gratitude. Whether its creating a Thankful Tree or a Gratitude Garland, it’ll give everyone time to reflect on what they’re thankful for this holiday.
6. Grandparent Pumpkin Decorating
This craft is a great way for grandchildren to connect. Painting pumpkins is often easier than carving for both the young and old and is a creative way to show off those artistic skills!
Isolation during the holiday season can increase the feeling of loneliness in seniors. Make sure to spend time with your senior loved ones and make sure they know how much they’re loved and how important they are to us.