Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Seniors

Over the past several decades, Cinco de Mayo has risen in popularity across the United States. People all over the country come together on May 5 to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage with friends and family.

With such a large population of Mexican-Americans in the Chicago area, it’s very likely that you or a loved one is of Mexican descent. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with seniors is a great way to help them feel connected to their culture. Joined together with their friends and family, they’ll have a fun, festive holiday they won’t soon forget.

Decorate the home

One of the best ways to imbue any sort of festive air is to decorate your home accordingly. Decorating is not only a fun activity, but a mentally stimulating one for seniors. It engages their creative and problem-solving skills while also encouraging them to work with their hands.

Spend some time crafting your decorations together. This is an especially fun activity if you’re planning on setting up for a holiday. A few great options include:

• Make a papel picado (the colorful, cut-out paper banners)
• Create red, white, and green paper flowers
• Paint terra cotta pots

Make traditional Mexican foods together

Mexican food is one of the most popular cuisines in the country—and for good reason! These dishes are packed with wonderful flavor, and many come together relatively easily. If your elderly loved one is of Mexican descent, ask them to share some of their favorite recipes with you. This is a great way to include those who may not like cooking anymore.

While a taco bar is a fantastic option for hosting a party, consider some of these traditional Mexican dishes for a more authentic experience:

• Mole Poblano
• Chalupas
• Tamales
• Elotes (street corn)

Discuss Mexican history and culture

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo should be about more than enjoying food and drink with friends and family. The holiday celebrates a vibrant and proud history. Take some time between your festivities to discuss the rich history that surrounds this holiday.

If your elderly loved one is of Mexican descent, sit down with them and talk about their culture. Most older adults love sharing stories about the past, so your loved one will likely appreciate the opportunity. With the knowledge you’ve gained, you’ll be able to enrich future celebrations tailored to your loved one’s culture.

Home caregivers can help with the festivities

As you prepare for any sort of family gathering, you may need some assistance tending to your elderly parent or grandparent. If that is the case, consider calling upon the aid of an at-home caregiver. These professionals can assist with any non-medical activities of daily living your loved one would benefit from, including personal care, medication reminders, and meal preparation.

Home Care Powered by AUAF has been one of the leaders in Chicago home care for 30 years. We would be honored to offer your loved one assistance too. For more information on our services, give us a call at 773-274-9262.