Valentine’s Day activities for the Elderly
Valentine's Day Importance to the Elderly
While an ancient tradition that many people look forward to every year, Valentine’s Day can also be an occasion that fill others with sadness. The loss of a loved one is hard to live with at any time, but with the shops continuously moving from one event to the other, someone who is living with loneliness will have constant reminders of upcoming days that can make what they’ve lost feel even more acute. With statistics showing that men spend almost twice as much as women on Valentine’s Day gifts for their partner, it could be argued that the romance of the occasion means more to women than it does to men, and coupled with the fact, according to AgeUK, that women are twice as likely to outlive their partner as men, it’s fair to say that women may be more affected by the approach of Valentine’s Day. There are also people who have never married or had a significant partner that dread the approach of Valentine’s Day, but this day is all about love – love we have for the important people in our lives, not just those we’re connected to romantically – so there’s no reason why it can’t be celebrated by everyone.
If you’re struggling with loneliness and you would appreciate some additional support both inside and out of your home, Helping Hands have supported thousands of people to live as independently as possible after the loss of a partner. Because we offer both visiting and live-in care we can provide personalised support to our customers’ specifications, and because our services are fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission and the Care Inspectorate Wales, you and your loved ones can be confident in what we deliver.
Activities on Valentine's Day for the Elderly
The loneliness of a loved one’s passing can understandably make someone feel that their life as they know it is over and they don’t know how to move forward. Acknowledging someone’s grief is important when they are feeling loss, rather than not mentioning it because others feel it will upset them. Most people want to talk about the life they have had with someone, not pretend they never existed, and may want others to acknowledge the importance of the person that’s passed away. AgeUK tells us that, while not knowing what to say to someone who is bereaved is perfectly natural, and avoiding the subject may be meant as a kindness on the part of the friend or loved one, “bereaved people usually say they find it comforting when this enormously significant moment in their lives is openly acknowledged, and a sense of sympathy expressed.”
Valentine’s Day can be made more inclusive for older people who’ve lost their partner, or for those who’ve never married, by turning it into a day that includes remembrance of loved ones who have passed over, rather than a day that’s only enjoyed by couples. This could mean remembrance of parents, grandparents, and siblings too, not just husbands, wives, or partners.
Scrapbooking/photos
Making scrapbooks or looking at photo albums is an important way to preserve memories and keep feelings alive. For older people, having photographs in albums was a special way to commemorate a special day, holiday, or life event, so looking at albums is definitely a special activity to share between generations.
Important places
Visiting places that hold significant memories for you and the person who’s passed, such as where you met, the location of a proposal, a favourite restaurant, or holiday destination, are a special way to engage loved ones in what exactly your partner meant to you. It’s also a good way to let younger generations understand your relationship a bit more and appreciate that you were also young once!
Exchanging cards
Valentine’s cards aren’t only for lovers to exchange, they represent love in every respect. There are Valentine’s cards for every relationship now, whether grandparent, child, friend, or colleague! Sending and receiving cards can represent how special someone is to you on a platonic level, raising spirits and making someone realise how loved they are.
Cuddle items
Having something to hug that reminds you of the person who’s passed is comforting for anyone who’s grieving but can be especially valuable for someone living with dementia. This can include having a cuddly toy that smells like the person who’s passed away, or that is made out of an article of their clothing.
Enjoying a significant film/song
Music and culture play a part in everybody’s lives, even if it’s unconsciously. A song that was constantly on the radio at a certain period of your life or a film that was talked about in everybody’s workplace stick in our minds whether we want them to or not, and listening or watching again can be sentimental.
Getting together with family/friends
Perhaps the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is to get together with a group of family or friends and share memories together. Whether it’s a teetotal celebration or enjoying a drink, getting together with others can help us to enjoy conversations about topics we have in common, or share memories of people we all loved.
How Helping Hands can help with your Elderly Care
Elderly care from Helping Hands is support when you need it because life is getting harder to manage. Whether you’ve always lived alone or you’re struggling after the loss of a partner, our carers can help your house feel less empty and fill it with conversation again. Just because you’ve lost your partner doesn’t mean you have to be alone on Valentine’s Day, and if you’re struggling with the practical or emotional aspects of loneliness, Helping Hands can support you. We help thousands of people to carry on living in their precious home after a loved one’s passing, especially if they were your primary carer. We can also support single people or couples with all of their everyday tasks, such as housework and shopping, medication and mobility, personal care, and meal preparation, and helping you to get out and about into your local community.