Planning a July 4th Picnic for Someone in Senior Care? Some tips:
While most senior living communities offer an array of programs and events, activities directors often work with limited budgets and are challenged to meet their residents’ varied abilities and interests. I was fortunate to have an exceptional nursing home close to my house during my caregiving years, and my parents, my uncle, my mother-in-law and even an elderly neighbor all resided there at some point.
There were plenty of activities and events offered year-round and on holidays, but the annual summer barbecue and picnic was by far one of the most anticipated events. This nursing home featured an incredible outdoor space complete with a resident-tended vegetable garden, raised flower beds with wheelchair access, large trees, and an overhead trellis full of hanging planters and climbing vines that provided ample shade.
Every resident willing and able to enjoy this festivity was escorted outside to a comfortable location and looked after. Residents’ spouses, children and grandchildren came to enjoy this event together. For years, a resident’s husband served as the grill master, cooking up hot dogs, burgers and other barbecue favorites.
The smell of grilling meat mixed with the perfume of flowers and freshly mown grass brought back memories of easier times for many elders and their families. If ever a nursing home hosted an event where the phrase, “a good time was had by all,” was appropriate, this was it.
Creative Senior “Picnic” Ideas
Picnics and barbecues are symbolic of good times shared with others. They’re casual yet special. While these events are generally held outdoors, they don’t have to be. Not every assisted living community, memory care unit or nursing home boasts such an inviting…
Continue reading on Agingcare for more about planning a picnic for people in senior care:
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