Your Senior and Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s day can be difficult for anyone who has lost a loved one, but that doesnt mean the day has to be filled with sorrow. Spending Valentine’s Day with a senior who has lost a loved one is often a more special and meaningful experience. It’s a chance to remember that this holiday is more than a Hallmark card and chocolates, it’s about showing and spreading love. If you’re not sure where to start, we have a few ways to make Valentine’s Day more memorable with your senior loved one.

1. Cook a special meal. Even if you’ve never cooked before, it’s never too late to learn! Gather the ingredients and try to make your loved one’s favorite meal.They’ll appreciate the effort, and more importantly, the time spent together. If you need some ideas of what to cook, our chefs at JCHC share special recipes to the blog every month.
   
   
2. Have a movie night. Pop some popcorn, grab their favorite snacks, and ask mom or dad what their favorite movie is. It’s a great way to spend Valentine’s Day together, and an opportunity to talk about the movie afterwards. This is an especially great activity to do together if your loved one has dementia,  a favorite childhood movie can bring long-term memories to the surface and sharpen their cognitive skills.
   
   
3. Take a walk together. Going for a walk is a great way to spend some meaningful time together. It gives you the chance to eliminate the daily distractions and focus on really talking with your loved one, while breathing in the fresh air and taking in the beautiful scenery.
   
   
4. Show your appreciation. Let your loved one know how much you appreciate them and all that they have done for you by writing them a letter or a homemade Valentine’s Day card. It’s always nice to read or hear kind words from the people who mean the most to us.
   
   
5. Take grandpa out for the day. There’s nothing like a change of scenery. Whether your senior parent lives at home or in an assisted living community, they deserve a nice change of pace. Take Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to indulge in an activity they love to do. For example, visit a local book store if your loved one loves to read.
   
   

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in our Assisted Living Community in NJ

We understand that some health, memory and mobility concerns may prevent some seniors from leaving their assisted living community to celebrate Valentine’s Day. So, we encourage you to celebrate with your loved one at Lester Senior Living instead! Last year we celebrated by making beautiful flower arrangements and learning about the history of Hershey’s chocolate while snacking on some Hershey kisses. We also encourage you to join your loved one in our spacious dining room for breakfast, lunch or dinner – not just on Valentine’s Day but all year round. 

For more information on how our senior living community will be celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org/

The original blog is posted on https://jchcorp.org/your-senior-and-valentines-day/