Valentine's Day is just around the corner and this holiday of love and sentiment is the perfect time to do something special for the elderly in your care. While most families make a special effort to visit their loved ones over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Valentine's Day is generally reserved for couples. This can be an especially rough time for people who have lost a spouse or friends due to age and illness. What can you do to help?
The traditional option: Buy a greeting card.
Better? Make a card. Turn it into a craft project with your children and their friends. Cut out images from old magazines or catalogues or use bright pieces of construction paper. Even plain white paper with a handwritten message can be special. As long as it comes from the heart, it'll be appreciated.
The traditional option: Buy candy or cookies.
Better? Bake something special that's personalized for the intended recipient. While Valentine's Day revolves around chocolate and sweets, any treat or meal can be special. Not everyone has a sweet tooth, and due to dietary restrictions, candy might not be the best option. A warm meal in a take-and-serve container can be every bit as special as a tin of cookies. A hearty vegetable soup is easy to make on the stovetop and travels well. Be creative, and tailor your "treats" to the tastes of the receiver.
The traditional option: A bouquet of flowers.
Better? Look for a potted plant that's a good size to fit your recipient's room. Flowering plants are nice, but might trigger allergies. A potted plant with an interesting leaf pattern can be every bit as colorful as flowers and, unlike cut flowers, it'll last a lot longer than a week! Balloons are a nice option, too. Go for the foil/mylar balloons because once they stop floating, they can still be taped to a wall and enjoyed as decorations.
No matter what you choose to do, you can make Valentine's Day a special day for someone in your care!
cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by Angelina Cupcake
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