Heartwarming Thanksgiving Activities for Seniors to Enjoy at Home

Thanksgiving is one one of the most loved holidays in the United States, especially among seniors. Every year, millions celebrate this day of family, togetherness, gratitude, and of course, food.

But for many older Americans, it can also be a lonely time – the loss of a spouse, family that’s moved to different parts of the country, and a lack of social opportunities can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. Approximately 33% of seniors in the US experience social isolation or loneliness. 

The holiday season can take an even heavier emotional toll on seniors who find it physically challenging to travel to visit their loved ones.  And if they live alone those feelings can intensify.

There is good news, however. With the right support, Thanksgiving can be a meaningful and joyous time.

Nurse Next Door McLean’s caregivers strive to make the holidays – and every day – as fulfilling as possible. One way to do this is by finding interesting and enjoyable things to do on Thanksgiving.

Let’s take a closer look at some Thanksgiving activities for seniors that they can enjoy at home to feel engaged, involved, and included.

Alzheimer Test 12 Questions Online

Planning the Thanksgiving Meal and Cooking Together

Do you know that 96% of seniors in the US celebrate Thanksgiving?  

Nothing says “Thanksgiving” like a sumptuous feast and a family gathering. But the meaning goes even deeper than that – for many people, food that has been painstakingly prepared is one of their love languages. It is a creative and deeply personal expression of familial connections. It is an opportunity to pass on and share recipes, culture, customs, traditions, and memories.

Even if laying out an enormous spread has become physically or mentally difficult because of the challenges of aging, there are still many ways for seniors to actively participate in the festivities.

• Meal Planning – More than any other time, this is the occasion when everyone’s favorites should be included.
• Sharing Recipes and Passing on Knowledge – Thanksgiving is an excellent chance for seniors to share their “secret” family recipes with the next generation.
• Spending Time Together – Preparing the Thanksgiving meal takes time, and that means time for conversation and company.
• Observing Customs and Traditions – Thanksgiving also means revisiting cultural and ethnic roots and family traditions, so they are not lost between one generation and the next.

Nurse Next Door McLean’s caregivers are there to assist your loved one with whatever contribution they are capable of making, from including them in meal planning with the family to helping them prepare a special side dish of their own.

Watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade

Traditionally, the holidays don’t officially commence until the local parade. This is when the entire community comes out in celebration – street performers, floats, marching bands, musicians, and local businesses and organizations from around town. Dressing up in festive clothing and attending in person is one of the most rewarding things to do on Thanksgiving, because it can bring back memories of happy times and remind a lonely senior that they are still included in their community.

Even if it is not possible to attend in person, one nationwide Thanksgiving observance is the Macy’s Parade, an American tradition for over 100 years. Broadcast every year for generations, it is among the Thanksgiving activities for seniors that’s most likely to bring up happy memories stretching back to childhood. Watching it on TV together as a family can be a multi-generational bonding experience.

Spend Some Time Outdoors

Autumn is nature’s time to shine – the gorgeous orange, yellow, and brown trees are a wonderful reminder of life’s constant cycle of renewal. Unfortunately, too many seniors with mobility issues or those who are largely homebound for other health reasons often miss out on this splendor.

More than just an enjoyable way to pass the time, exposure to nature has a significant and positive effect on seniors’ overall health.

Specifically, Thanksgiving activities for seniors that involve spending time outdoors motivate seniors to be more physically active. The fact that the benefits are both mental and physical means that every senior can enjoy improved well-being, regardless of their condition. All it takes is a short walk or wheelchair trip down to the nearest park.

Take Turns Expressing Gratitude

Focusing on the meaning of the holiday – literally, “to give thanks” – can combat feelings of depression, reduce stress, and improve your sleep.

There are several practical and enjoyable ways to do this, both individually and as a family, that are in keeping with the spirit of Thanksgiving.

• Start a gratitude journal – Count your blessings by writing them down.
• Make a Thankful Tree – Each guest writes what they are most grateful for on a paper leaf. The “tree” grows as each person makes their contribution.
• Pass the Pumpkin – Pick a jaunty tune and pass a toy pumpkin from player to player. Whoever is holding the pumpkin when the music stops shares something for which they are grateful.

Consider Thanksgiving Games for Family

The best thing about playing games as part of the fun Thanksgiving activities is how inclusive it is – everyone can join in the fun, no matter their age or ability. This is a fantastic opportunity for the whole family to get involved.

Remember, the goal of Thanksgiving games for family is to spend precious time together.

• Board or Card Game Tournament – Take your pick of any board or card game you’ve ever played, making adjustments for seniors with cognitive issues.
• Thanksgiving Bingo – You can find printable picture-based Thanksgiving-themed bingo cards online.
• Guess the Smell – Using candles, spices, and even small samples of food, ask players to close their eyes and try to guess what Thanksgiving dish they are smelling. 

Strategies Memory Care Experts Use to Keep the Mind Sharp

Watch Sports or a Movie

Is it even Thanksgiving without football? 

Generations of families have bonded over rooting for – or against – the teams playing on Turkey Day, and watching the games together can spark lively bantering and bring up memories of past matchups and good times.

For those who aren’t interested in sports, a classic film is a good family time alternative. There’s something extra-special about multiple generations enjoying the same film – for seniors, it’s revisiting an old favorite, while younger family members get to experience it for the first time.

Holiday Shopping

Thanksgiving also kicks off the Christmas shopping season, and many seniors look forward to exchanging gifts all year long. 

The thrill of finding the perfect present and the anticipation of seeing their loved ones’ faces keep seniors actively engaged and involved. Leaving the house to go shopping means interacting with others and being physically active.

If limited mobility or other challenges make it too difficult or too demanding for the person to go shopping at a brick-and-morter store, they can still fully participate by shopping online or working with others to create a gift list for the family.

How Nurse Next Door McLean Helps Seniors Celebrate Thanksgiving

At its core, Nurse Next Door McLean’s compassionate care is about helping seniors enjoy the highest possible quality of life, with dignity, independence, and joy. 

We provide tailored home care for elderly in their own homes, considering factors like physical and mental ability, medical needs, and personal preferences and goals.

This Thanksgiving, Nurse Next Door McLean can help you and your loved ones with:

• Planning and preparing meals 
• Companionship to keep loneliness at bay
• Specialized transportation and accompanied visits
• Assistance with bathing, grooming and dressing up for the occasion
• Respite Care
• Participating in fun Thanksgiving activities

For more information about what Nurse Next Door McLean can do for you and your family, call us at (703) 774-9421.