{"id":7864,"date":"2016-01-18T07:31:38","date_gmt":"2016-01-18T13:31:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=7864"},"modified":"2015-12-30T16:33:54","modified_gmt":"2015-12-30T22:33:54","slug":"caring-for-elderly-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2016\/01\/caring-for-elderly-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"Caring for Elderly Parents? Why Not Throw a Party?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Caring for Elderly Parents? Why Not Throw a Party?\"Caring<\/span><\/h1>\n

In her memoir, The Gift of Caring<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, writer Marcy Cottrell Houle describes the parties her family held for her aging father to liven up his nursing home routine. A special occasion or holiday\u00a0is a natural time to host a gathering for your parents and their fellow residents, but you can pull together a shindig any time without a big investment of effort or money. Here\u2019s a quick list of steps for spur-of-the-moment gatherings to make ordinary days special for someone you love.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check with the facility to reserve space<\/h2>\n

Most nursing homes have a common room you can reserve for family gatherings. You may also be able to set up your mini-event in a corner of the dining hall or in a courtyard during good weather.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choose the right food and beverages<\/h2>\n

Bring your parents\u2019 favorite food and drinks or find a good substitute. Houle\u2019s father could no longer have champagne so she protected his health and maintained the party mood by serving sparkling cider in plastic champagne flutes. If your loved ones or other attendees have food allergies or major dietary restrictions, keep those in mind when planning your snacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pick a theme or an activity<\/h2>\n

When there\u2019s a birthday or anniversary coming up, you\u2019ve got a reason to celebrate. When nothing\u2019s on the calendar, make up a reason to party based on something your parent likes or remembers. Your gathering could have a fishing theme, a storytelling contest, a photo-collage activity, or a singalong if there\u2019s a piano and someone to play. When you\u2019re fresh out of theme ideas, host a game party with classic favorites like dominos, card games, bunco or bingo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take it outside<\/h2>\n

When the weather\u2019s nice, ask if you can set up simple games like bean bag toss or plastic horseshoes outdoors. Croquet is another option if your parents are able to play. Bring a picnic style meal and bubble soap and wands for a mess-free and eye-catching activity. <\/span><\/p>\n

Keep your plans simple<\/h2>\n

The point of these parties is to stay connected and vary your loved ones\u2019 daily routine, not to impress anyone with your craftiness. Houle wrote, \u201cThese revelries allowed us to keep a shred of lightness and gaiety in our lives together.\u201d That\u2019s easier if you\u2019re relaxed. Buy some inexpensive paper tableware and decorations in bulk from the local party supply place or order them online, and you\u2019ll be ready to host on a whim.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have an open door policy<\/h2>\n

Welcome other residents and staff members to your parties. Gatherings are a good way to get to know the residents, volunteers and staff members your parent spends time with, and they can help your parents build stronger connections in the community. Other families may return the favor by including your loved ones in their gatherings, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make and share party memories<\/h2>\n

This may feel like a challenge, because watching a beloved parent or grandparent cope with a decline in health or cognition is heartbreaking. But these moments are precious, too. Take and print party photos to share with your parents. This gives them a record of recent events and reminds them of the important people in their lives. Fresh photos make a good conversation starter for staffers and other residents. They can also help you and your family see your loved ones as not just people who\u2019ve lost memories or vigor but as people who still connect in their own way to those they love. That\u2019s something worth celebrating.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Caring for Elderly Parents? Why Not Throw a Party? In her memoir, The Gift of Caring, writer Marcy Cottrell Houle describes the parties her family held for her aging father to liven up his nursing home routine. A special occasion or holiday\u00a0is a natural time to host a gathering for your parents and their fellow residents, but you can pull […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2198,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[200,29],"tags":[30,467],"class_list":{"0":"post-7864","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-families-caregivers","7":"category-caregiving","8":"tag-caregiving-2","9":"tag-nursing-homes"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCaring for Elderly Parents? 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