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Make Valentine’s Day Special for Elderly Parents
Valentine’s Day has always been a special holiday for couples, especially elderly couples. Elderly partners shower each other with extra amounts of love, care and concern. The best part about it is that you can help in making it even more special for them. In this article, I will provide tips and ideas to make valentine’s day special for your elderly parent/s. I will list my ideas for valentine’s day for elderly parent/s that are both easy and cheap to plan for and do.
Valentine’s Day for Elderly Couples
Elderly couples spend valentine’s day differently than younger ones. Aside from the fact that they adjust their plans to fit their physical limitations, they also prefer more casual but intimate moments. Rather than going out to a fancy restaurant, they might prefer having a warm homecooked meal made by their partner or even by their children.
Make Valentine’s Day Special
The main thing you need to keep in mind during the planning stage is that your elderly parents won’t be as active as they were before. You need to make plans that fit right into their physical capacities. Never forget to communicate with them since they may want to add personal touches to your plans. Remember, you may think you know your elderly parents but they know each other more.
Spending Valentine’s Day Together
The best way for you to make valentine’s day special for your elderly parent/s is by spending time together. You don’t have to stay with them every time or throughout the whole day. You planning for and being there for them for that day will be more than enough.
Ideas for Valentine’s Day for Elderly Parent/s
I made sure to be inclusive as possible with the tips and ideas to make valentine’s day special for elderly couples. Not only that, I assumed that you might also want to give your elderly parent a wonderful valentine’s day by remembering their partner through activities invoking nostalgia or a trip to memory lane. Here are my 12 tips and ideas to make valentine’s day special for your elderly parent/s.
Go on a Trip Together
Going on a trip together is one of the most often planned and done activity to make valentine’s day special for elderly loved ones. My advice when planning and preparing for a trip together is to keep it simple. Make sure that everyone doesn’t get too stressed out during the preparation and actual trip.
In fact, you can even plan for a very short trip to a local park where your elderly parent/s usually went to during their younger years. You can even plan a short trip to your home if your elderly parent/s live away from you. Always go for sincere and meaningful trips that can actually make valentine’s day special for everyone.
Take Pictures
Taking pictures is one of the most neglected but surprisingly effective ideas for valentine’s day for elderly parent/s. Having a picture to look at and remember by will always be a favorite thing to do for the elderly. Don’t forget to join in the pictures as well, memories are fonder if everyone is present.
Go out on a date
You can help plan and prepare for your elderly parents’ date, go out and take your elderly parent to a date or even have your elderly parent/s join your date with the rest of your family. Depending on the circumstances and convenience of the parties involved, you should plan accordingly and appropriately.
Pick a place that is warm and cozy, regardless whether you’re taking or joining your elderly parent/s. No, you don’t have to be in the same table unless you’re taking out your elderly parent. If its just you and your elderly parent, grabbing a drink or two can easily make their valentine’s day special.
Including your family
Often, the best valentine’s celebration for the elderly is to celebrate it with family. Spending time with their grandkids can easily be the highlight of their year. Celebrating any event together with the whole family will always be heartwarming and extremely memorable.
Give something sentimental
Gifts can go a long way during events, specially if you get the gift right. Valentine’s day has been known to be a day of love towards partners. The best gift you can give to your elderly parent/s would be something that is related to what they enjoy doing or having. An example would be giving a book that they’ve been looking for or knitting a blanket for them to use.
Cook for them
Cooking is one of the most sincere and heartwarming things you can do for your elderly parent/s. You can either cook a meal for them or cook with them. If your elderly parent/s are up to it, you can cook with them. Having them participate will definitely help in making them feel a level of inclusiveness and independence, both of which are important for the elderly.
Watch a movie together
You need to pick a movie that fits the event. Based on personal experience, you don’t have to choose a romantic film per se. Watching a comedy or films that invoke nostalgia would be the best pick for me. Don’t forget to prepare the appropriate healthy snacks as well. Lastly, having your children join in might make the experience even more enjoyable for everyone.
Wear matching outfits
Wearing matching outfits, specially when heading out is another easy way to make valentine’s day special. You can plan with your elderly parent/s to wear funny or witty couple shirts that comes with the family addons. It doesn’t have to be shirts as well, you guys can also wear matching hats, sunglasses, jackets, etc.
Listen to music
People often pick music when looking for ideas for valentine’s day for elderly parent/s. Regardless if you get them to slow dance or just lounging in the couch, music can easily soothe and bring life to everyone’s day. Pick songs that have sentimental or are meaningful for your elderly parent/s.
Wake them up for breakfast
Waking up to food has and will always be a wonderful experience. Making and giving your elderly parent/s breakfast will easily make valentine’s day special for them. Bonus points if you plan on surprising them with this gesture.
Make sure though that you pick and make healthy foods. Even if its just a day, you need to consider that healthy and organic foods will always be better. You also have to keep in mind any health restrictions that your elderly parent/s have. If their favorite food is unhealthy, then choose a healthier and just as delicious alternative.
Write them love letters
People often forget that the elderly often just need love and attention. People who are often busy with work or their lives tend to end up neglecting communication with their elderly parents. A simple letter, e-mail or text greeting can easily make valentine’s day special for them.
In fact, it doesn’t have to be through writing or text. Calling them and wishing them well will never fail to put a smile and sense of warmth in their faces and hearts. Reaching out to your elderly parent/s will always be met with joy and appreciation.
Pamper them the whole day
Last but certainly not the least, you can pamper your elderly parent/s for the entire valentine’s day. You don’t have to personally be at their beck and call. Though doing so would make the idea and gesture better for some elderly parent/s. Preparing a spa date or arranging a set of activities for them will also count as pampering. What is important is that they feel your sincerity.
Final Thoughts
Always remember, Valentine’s should not only be the time you treat your parents with the love and care they deserve. Valentine’s day is just an event to love and care for them even more. I hope that my list of tips and ideas to make valentine’s day special can help you. Though at the end of the day, sincerity and communication will always triumph over any complicated plans.
