With a little forethought, what may have been a sad Valentine’s Day for some seniors can instead be a joyful day of giving, sharing, and love. While many seniors are single again, and holidays can be a bit of a hurdle to overcome—with some planning, new memories can be enjoyed while old memories are savored. Replace potential sadness with gladness this Valentine’s Day as you reach out to your senior loved one with thoughtfulness and care.
At The Parke Assisted Living, we understand that holidays and sentimental occasions can present an opportunity for sadness or loneliness in some seniors. That’s why we create beautiful new opportunities for special memories to be made with family and friends. Our Activities Department provides a variety of diverse opportunities for your loved one to enjoy each day, and particularly holidays and special occasions like Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day Ideas for Seniors
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show the seniors in our family how much we love them. Here are some ideas for you to consider as you plan ahead for an affordable, meaningful Valentine’s Day celebration.
Decorate
It’s always fun and festive to decorate for Valentine’s Day. Spend time with your loved one cutting out red hearts of various sizes and decorating their home or apartment with them. Add a splash of color throughout their living space with bright red roses, carnations, candles, or other Valentine’s Day décor.
Bake
The smell of freshly baked cookies, hot out of the oven, can lift anyone’s mood on Valentine’s Day. Consider making some basic sugar cookies, and cutting them out together in heart shapes. Once the cookies cool, have fun with your loved one decorating them with icing and sprinkles. Eating the cookies is only part of the fun. Enjoy the journey of baking and decorating together. Your loved one will appreciate the time you invested in making a special memory together.
Cook
A simple recipe for chocolate covered strawberries can provide great fun and delicious eats on Valentine’s Day. Simply clean two cups of medium to large strawberries; then melt ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips and one teaspoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan. Dip each strawberry’s lower half into the chocolate mixture. Allow the excess chocolate to drip into the pan. Allow them to cool on a paper-lined cookie sheet, and enjoy a gorgeous looking delight.
Music
Play some of your loved one’s favorites for Valentine’s Day, and enjoy the good old days via the music that takes you back in time when love, and life, were simple. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Michael Bublé are some common favorites to consider.
Enjoy a movie
Sometimes it’s fun to watch a classic romantic movie on Valentine’s Day. Switch up which movie you’ll watch each year and plan ahead so you’re ready for a relaxing movie after all your decorating, crafts, or meal together is over. Gone With the Wind, Sleepless in Seattle, and Love Actually are some favorites to consider.
Go out to eat
Take your loved one out on Valentine’s Day and let them know how special they are. A fun group setting where food is cooked on the table before you may be a great social experience you could enjoy together.
Puzzles
Take some time to enjoy making a puzzle together this Valentine’s Day. Find a heart puzzle, or make one by creating a variety of cuts in a large heart and working together to assemble it.
Reach out
Find someone to give gifts to with your loved one this Valentine’s Day. After all, it’s more blessed to give than to receive. Seniors love to give, so find a way to do that together.
Valentine’s Day Gifts
Give the gift of flowers—Nothing says “I love you” on Valentine’s Day like fresh cut flowers. Fresh flowers in red and white add a pop of refreshing Valentine’s Day décor to your loved one’s home. Deliver them yourself, and show the love in your heart in a tangible way.
Put it in words
Take time to write your loved one a Valentine’s Day letter to let them know how much they mean to you. Share it over a nice cup of tea with some sweet music playing, and you’re sure to capture their heart.
The gift of time
The best present you can give is often simply your presence! Give your loved one the gift of your time on Valentine’s Day. Let them choose what they’d like to do, and simply let them know you’d like to spend time together because you love them so much.
Valentine’s Day Crafts and Games
Scrapbook
Looking through pictures can bring back wonderful memories to savor together. Scrapbooking gives your loved one an opportunity to recall many positive memories and occasions they spent with their spouse. They’ll have stories to tell you as they muse through memory lane via their pictures. Mounting them in a scrapbook together allows them to honor their joyful moments with respect, and creatively design a book of pictures they can look back on over and over again and enjoy!
Color
Create beautiful Valentine’s Day memories by taking a trip back in time and coloring in a coloring book together. Find some Valentine themed coloring pages, put on some great music, and enjoy! You’ll be surprised at how fun it is!
Bingo
This classic game never goes out of style, and is so adaptable, it can be enjoyed for multiple holidays. Valentine Bingo sheets can be created with a Valentine theme. Gather family and friends, and make some memories. Have some fun gifts on hand for the winners of Bingo!
Valentine’s Day isn’t simply a day to enjoy your spouse; it’s a day to share your love for each member of your family across the generations. Spending quality time together is the best gift you can give the seniors in your life. Check out our gallery of pictures and learn more about how assisted living can be a positive experience for your loved one.