6 Things to Do on Memorial Day with Elderly Loved Ones
43.92% of people aged 75 and over are veterans, according to Statistica. This means, there is a higher than normal chance your elderly loved one has been personally affected by the loss of a friend or family member who has served in the armed forces.
Alliance Senior Care services offer companionship along with healthcare and Specialty Care Services which can be tailored to your elderly loved ones specific needs.
You can make this Memorial Day with elderly loved ones a particularly special one by participating in one, or some combination, of these Memorial Day activities.
Moment of Remembrance; Observe the National Moment of Remembrance
Each Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time, Americans across the country honor the National Moment of Remembrance. Bring the whole family together to sit quietly for one minute. Afterwards, play a short tribute to the lives lost, or simply just be there to support your elderly loved one.
Flag Ceremonies; Attend a Flag Ceremony with Your Elderly Loved One
One of the best ways to pay respects to our fallen soldiers is with a flag raising ceremony. Most cities host this event in a downtown area or outside city hall. If you plan on hosting the ceremony yourself, the flag should be flown at half-staff until noon. It should then raised to the top of staff until sunset.
Decoration Day; Visit Your Local Cemetery
Did you know that Memorial Day was once called “Decoration Day?” The purpose of the day used to be decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. Take a walk through a local cemetery. There may be a section for those who have served. You and your loved one could place small American flags or red poppies (the universal flower meaning remembrance) on these graves.
Outreach to Families; Help Your Elderly Loved One Reach Out to the Families of a Deceased Soldier
Chances are your elderly loved ones will know people who have served and families of fallen soldiers. Reaching out to the families of fallen soldiers can be difficult. Even if outreach is done via a phone call, video chat, or even a letter, they will likely enjoy remembering the good times.
Picnics; Celebrate with a Cookout or Picnic
Memorial Day with your elderly loved ones should also be a time for celebrating. Enjoy the start of summer with their favorite grilled foods, fruit, and desserts. Preparing and decorating for festivities with red, white, and blue is a great way to spend time with your elderly loved one and have some fun. This also gives them a way to spend time with the younger members of the family.
Companionship; Spend time with Your Elderly Loved Ones
Elderly loved ones can often isolated from family, friends, and their community as a whole. While they may enjoy living in the comfort of their homes but isolation can lead to loneliness and depression. Spending time with them gives them a sense of connection. Getting to hear the stories about their lives and what life was like reminds younger people and family members about how different life was in the past.
To get started with In-Home Care can help improve your loved ones’ quality of life, call Alliance Senior Care at 248-274-2170. It’s not just In-Home Care, it is Integrated Care.
Home Care are an excellent resource for family caregivers and seniors alike.
Alliance Senior Care Home Care services offer a wide range of services providing healthcare, daily living assistance, transportation to and from Doctor’s appointments and tailored care services for additional circumstances.