Spending time with your children is a wonderful way for your aging loved one to enjoy better mental and emotional health and well-being throughout their later years. Enjoying family time makes your parent feel acknowledged and important, reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation, and supports mental stimulation. While there are opportunities for your parent to spend time with their grandchildren at all times, during holidays can be particularly fun and meaningful. With Halloween approaching, this is the perfect time for your parent to enjoy making memories and building a closer relationship with your children. As their family caregiver, you want to make sure these activities are special and memorable, but also safe for both generations.

Let these ideas inspire you to plan safe and special activities to encourage your senior to celebrate Halloween with your children:

• Visit a pumpkin patch. Going to pick a pumpkin is a classic fall activity and a fun experience for people of all ages. Choose a patch that includes a hayride out to the fields for a senior who has good mobility, or consider a patch that brings the pumpkins in and has a market for those who have more difficulty.

• Decorating pumpkins. Carving can be challenging for both children and older adults with dexterity issues or arthritis. Instead, use markers, stickers, glitter glue, and paint to decorate pumpkins for a safe, expressive activity.
• Safe trick-or-treating. Going around the neighborhood in the dark might be fun, but it can be dangerous and may not be accessible for an elderly adult. Many theme parks offer a safe trick or treating alternative. If you have a theme park in your area, check for their fall festivities. You are likely to find a daytime experience that includes a candy trail perfect for little ones to get dressed up and walk along with their grandparent.
• Making fun treats. Halloween is the perfect time to get your parent and children in the kitchen for some spooky culinary adventures. Find simple and accessible recipes that don’t involve knives or heat to make them safe for both groups, and provide ample supervision so those that are more involved if necessary.

Staying close to the rest of your family is an extremely important part of staying healthy, and enjoying a higher quality of life for your parent. Introducing a senior home care services provider into your care routine with your parent can be a fantastic way to help this happen even more. The services involved in senior care are completely customizable. This means they can be adjusted depending on exactly what your parent needs, both when they are in their home and when they are out in the world around them, such as spending time with you. A senior home care services provider can be with your parent during these experiences to ensure they get the level of care that they need and consistent support to manage their challenges. This enables them to participate in the activity as much as possible, engage with the rest of the family, and still know you are not being distracted or concerned by their needs, allowing you to enjoy this time as well.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Sterling, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 982-0050.