Valentine’s Day is a time to show the people in our lives how much we love and appreciate them. However, Valentine’s Day can also conjure sad memories of loved ones we lost along the way, so here are some ideas for engaging Valentine’s activities and thoughtful gifts to help your senior loved one celebrate the happy times while creating new memories:

Crafting

Valentine’s Day cards and decorations are fun and easy to make while allowing some time to bond. Arts and crafts also allow seniors to express their creativity while strengthening fine motor skills with activities like drawing, cutting and painting. Seeing the cheerful result can also give your senior a sense of accomplishment.

Kitchen Time

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without the treats, so include your senior in the kitchen. Bake and decorate cookies or put together Valentine’s inspired snacks, like strawberries or watermelon cut into heart shapes. If your senior loves to cook, play the sidekick while they prepare their favourite Valentine’s meal. Ask why it’s their favourite or how the tradition started for some entertaining stories from their younger years.

Movie Night

Nothing says romance like the movies! Watching classic movies might bring back memories of special times and encourage your loved ones to share stories from their past. Alternatively, stick to romantic comedies or light-hearted romance to avoid a sad storyline, and don’t forget the popcorn!

Games

Valentine’s Day-themed bingo, jigsaw puzzles or word games will provide much-needed mental stimulation. Alternatively, exercise the memory muscles by playing ‘Guess the movie/song/book’. Read a few lines from a book, or play a few bars of music or clips from a movie and see who gets it first. Choose books, movies or songs your senior will be familiar with so they can teach the younger generation a thing or two about the classics.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Making a scrapbook is a great way to help your loved one remember the good times. You can prepare some scrapbooking materials in advance, or you can spend an afternoon going through photos, postcards and letters, sharing stories while creating a scrapbook that will keep the memories close.

Get Social

Organize a Valentine’s Day bingo game for your seniors and their friends, or find senior-orientated activities in your area. A senior dance or picnic is a great way to spend time with old friends or make new ones. You can also organize a small get-together with family and friends to give your loved one a chance to catch up with everyone. If the weather is nice, it’s a good excuse for a braai!

Thoughtful gifts:

• A handmade Valentine’s card with a thoughtful message makes a great gift. Tell them what you admire or appreciate about them and why you love having them in your life. It doesn’t have to be long or a literary masterpiece, just write from the heart.
• Everybody loves getting flowers or candy on Valentine’s Day!
• A stuffed animal, especially a bigger one that can be hugged and cuddled, can provide comfort on lonely days.
• The best gift you can give an elderly loved one is your time. If you’re too far away for a visit, connect virtually on platforms like Zoom or Skype. If possible, make sure there will be a tech-savvy grandchild or friend available in case assistance is needed!

Conclusion

Valentine’s Day is traditionally associated with romantic love, but it’s a day everyone should get the chance to feel special and valued. Valentine’s gifts don’t need to be grand – sometimes the smallest gesture can make all the difference in the world.