Valentine’s Day is all about love and romance, and who doesn’t like that? The special attention showered upon us each February 14th evokes the warm and gooey feelings we felt when we first fell in love. For many seniors, however, this annual day of love can be just another day, or worse, a day of increased loneliness and sorrow.
I think about many of our Client’s at Havenwood who spent 50 or 60 years with the love of their life, and for many of them, they are now spending every year without them. I find it unbearable the pain they must feel not having their love lying next to them each night, not having their hands to hold, or lips to kiss. While I’m sure there is not a single day that passes without these memories in their mind, I imagine Valentine’s Day brings some added weight for those that have lost a loved one.
I know this issue is not isolated to our Clients, and I know that many seniors are widowed or living alone. This Valentine’s Day, find a special way to show your Elderly loved one some extra love. It can make a big difference.
Here are some ways you can fill a Senior’s Valentine’s Day with extra love:
- Have flowers delivered, or deliver them yourself if you live nearby
- If your loved one has old letters from the love of their life, dust them off and read them together
- A special treat is even sweeter when it’s shared, so sit awhile and share something yummy
- Get the kids involved seniors love homemade valentines, even better if they include a recent photo
- Share a special breakfast or lunch and stories of your loved one has shown they love you
- Frame an old photo of you with your senior, include a card about how much they mean to you
- Continue a tradition they may have shared with their late spouse
- Be there your time and presence can add happiness to a day that may have otherwise been lonely. There are so many ways to bring happiness to hearts of seniors on Valentine’s Day; I’d love to hear how you plan to spend Valentine’s Day and the ways you’ve found to brighten the day for your senior loved one.