Everyone loves to celebrate the 4th of July, and seniors are no exception. In Olive Branch and elsewhere around the U.S., most seniors will take a day to remember how our nation became an independent one, and how it then became one of the great nations of the world. Senior home care personnel can increase the enjoyment level for seniors by planning some special activities on that day, so it can be even more meaningful. If you haven’t already got some ideas in mind, here are a few that you might want to consider for your personal celebration.
Prepare 4th of July desserts
As long as your senior is in generally good health and doesn’t make a habit of going overboard on sweets, this can be a very fun activity for the 4th. For instance, you could make cookies and decorate them with red, white, and blue frosting, or you could make cupcakes and stick tiny flags in each one. If the whole family will be there, you can make a full-sized cake, and decorate it with some appropriate holiday themes. You might even want to get a bit daring and create a brand new recipe and decorate it with frosting that includes the flag colors.
Create some paper flags
Creating your own flags is a great way to celebrate the day, and it will give your senior a project that will keep them busy for a while. Most seniors love to feel useful, and that their contribution really matters, so you can involve them with this project and they’ll have a chance to feel really good about themselves. It’s also good for their hand-eye coordination and their self-confidence. Once you’ve created your holiday flags, you can find a spot to hang them up where they can be seen by everyone who visits, and your senior will have a chance to proudly proclaim their participation in their creation.
Host a cookout
Cooking outdoors on the 4th of July is as traditional as a Christmas tree on Christmas. If your senior loved one doesn’t get outdoors much, this is the perfect time to get them out on the patio for a while, so they can take in the fresh air and all the sights and sounds of the neighborhood. If the family will be stopping by, that will give your senior a chance to be the center of attention, and he/she will probably appreciate that. Be sure to include some foods that your senior actually likes, so they’ll be able to appreciate the day much better.
Watch the fireworks
As long as your senior won’t get over-tired by staying up til dark to watch the fireworks, this can be tremendous fun for him/her. Everyone loves to watch the explosions in the summer sky and all the brightly colored sparkles that shimmer and surge in the sky. You might want to bring along a blanket to keep your loved one warm, in the event that it gets a little chilly wherever you are. You might even be one of the lucky ones who can catch a good show just by sitting on their deck in the backyard. If this is the case, it should be very easy for you to set up your senior so they can appreciate all the action from the comfort of their own home.
Go to a parade
Many towns and communities plan a 4th of July parade, and these can be very enjoyable events. You might see some local celebrities and some holiday queens, but there should also be marching bands, performers, and maybe even fire department equipment. Parades don’t happen every day, so this may be one of the few times of the year that your senior has a legitimate chance to attend one. If you’re really feeling frisky, you and your senior can volunteer to help decorate one of the floats that will be appearing in the parade, and this will give your charge a sense of purpose. Even if your loved one doesn’t particularly care for crowds, you may be able to watch from your front porch.
Decorate your house
There are all kinds of ways you decorate your house and show your patriotism, so why not think up a few of these ideas and put them into practice? You may want to post flags or other symbols around the house to remind you of the significance of the day, or you may want to turn the clock back and actually dress up in patriotic garb. This could be a very special event for your senior, and if you assist them, that could make it all the more special. There are endless ways you could choose to celebrate the holiday with your senior, and all it takes is a little planning to make someone very happy on that day.