Celebrating National Grandparents Day with Your Elderly Loved One

We have Mother’s Day and Father’s Day—of course we need a National Grandparents Day too! First signed into law on August 3, 1978 by President Jimmy Carter, the holiday was developed to celebrate the important bond between a child and their grandparents. It is commemorated on the second Sunday in September (or the Sunday after Labor Day), falling on September 10 this year. If you’re lucky enough to be celebrating National Grandparents Day with your elderly loved one, make it a treasured memory for both of you.

Take a walk down memory lane

Over the years, you’ve likely been privy to an array of interesting stories about your grandparents. Many older people love to relay stories of times gone by, so give them the opportunity to do so on Grandparents Day. You could even record these stories to keep your family history alive and well for years to come.

If your grandparents have a box of old photos or letters somewhere in their house, see if they’ll let you use them. Then, create a photo album or memory book with these items and present it to them on Grandparents Day. Spend some time going through the book together and making labels for important dates and individuals.

Hold a family photo shoot

The older you and your extended family get, the less likely your grandparents are to have a recent photo of you. While they can likely find one on social media, it isn’t the same as having a physical photo. Rectify this situation by holding a family photo shoot on Grandparents Day. Contact your nearby extended family so you can all come together for a photo—grandma and grandpa included!

Then, since your family members are already together, celebrate the holiday with a family gathering. Having a cookout is great this time of year, as the heat of the summer has finally abated.

Start a new tradition

Family traditions may seem like trite little activities when you are young. However, as you age, you may realize how important they are. Start a new tradition with your elderly loved ones on Grandparents Day that is centered around something they love. This could mean cooking a special treat, going on a nature walk together, or watching a movie. As long as it is something that makes your loved one feel seen, it is worth the effort.

Hire the help of an at-home caregiver

You may have noticed that your elderly loved one struggles with certain activities of daily living such as cooking, cleaning, or remembering to take their medicine. They may want to age in place, but to do so, they’ll need some help. If that is the case, talk to them about hiring the help of an at-home caregiver.

At Home Care Powered by AUAF, our compassionate caregivers have been providing seniors support at home for 30 years. Give us a call at 773-274-9262 to learn how we can help improve your quality of life.