If you have older loved ones in your life, consider how you can show them some love during the Valentine's season. Taking time to remind senior family members and friends that you care can help reduce isolation, honor their role in your life and strengthen relationships.
Whether you want to send a care package to an older adult in assisted living or spend time with a local senior, here are nine ways to show you care this Valentine's Day or any time of the year.
Schedule some time to visit your loved one and bring them a little basket of their favorite treats. You might ask if you can come by for conversation and coffee or bring the kids to play board games or watch a movie.
When packing treats, consider dietary restrictions and any nutritional issues. For example, if your loved one is diabetic, you might not want to bring cookies and candy. Treats also don't have to mean snacks. You could bring a favorite nut butter or tea or coffee they can enjoy over the next week or two.
Go traditional and send an older loved one a homemade card to let them know you're thinking of them. If you have kids, have them make cards or draw pictures to send. Or if you're not the craft sort, write a letter letting the older adult in your life know what they mean to you.
Consider how you can get some face-to-face time with your older loved one even if you don't live near them. You could use technology such as Google Meet, Facetime, Facebook Messenger video or Skype to video chat. With a little proactive planning, you can ensure that you both have refreshments, such as a cup of tea, to enjoy as you talk.
If you live close to an older adult and want to show some love, consider bringing them a home-cooked meal and sitting down to lunch or dinner with them. When possible, plan to bring enough that they have leftovers for another meal, reducing their need to cook and letting them enjoy the delicious nutrition again as they consider how much fun they had spending time with you.
Another option for sending love to someone who lives far from you is a little care package. Think about what the person might want or need and pack up a little box of goodies. For an older adult living in an assisted living community or another location that isn't close to some of their family and friends, opening a box filled with items clearly selected with care can be heartwarming.
If you're not sure what to pack, consider looking for socks that match your loved one's style or comfort preferences, a book or movie they might like and snack or beverage items you know are their favorites. You could also include personal care items like lip balm and lotion.
Show care to older adults who live near you by taking something off their plates. Stop by and do the dishes, ask if you can run any errands for them or mow the grass. Consider what type of practical care you can offer that's reasonable for you to commit to; an older adult may enjoy knowing they don't have to worry about a certain task for a few months.
Spend time with a senior in your life doing something you both find enjoyable. You could visit local museums, explore nearby parks or window-shop together. Other options include bowling, getting coffee or a meal out or seeing a movie in a theater.
If you want to use Valentine's Day as a springboard to a more meaningful relationship with an older adult in your life, ask if they'd like to start doing a hobby together. For example, maybe you're both interested in painting. Set up a time to go to the craft store together to pick out supplies, and schedule a weekly time when you can paint together while chatting.
Put together a photo album that captures memories you have with the loved one, or help an older adult who lives far away keep up with the grandkids' lives through pictures. You can easily share digital photo albums and videos with your loved one. Consider making an album for Valentine's Day and updating it throughout the year.
