Spending National Parent’s Day with Seniors

Compared to its counterparts in May and June, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, National Parent’s Day is a relatively young holiday. First established in 1994 when President Bill Clinton signed it into law, National Parent’s Day is observed on the Fourth Sunday of July to celebrate the important role parents play in our lives. This year, the holiday falls on July 24.

On this day, take the time to honor your elderly parents for uplifting and supporting you throughout all the trials and successes you experienced throughout life. Below are a few fantastic ways to show your appreciation when spending National Parent’s Day with seniors.

Thank them

What better way to communicate your love and gratitude for your parents than to tell them directly? Express thanks for how they raised you and acknowledge any sacrifices they made. Talk about some fond memories from both your childhood and adulthood. Pointing out little, specific details will make your talk even more special.

You could thank them face-to-face, but if you can’t travel to see them or perhaps aren’t good with words, you can buy your parents cards. Buy one for each of them and write personalized messages tailored to them.

Create a scrapbook of memories

Everyone loves a trip down memory lane—especially seniors. Take your parents on that journey by making them a scrapbook of memories. Include photos and write out some key, important memories you’ve shared. If you have siblings, get in contact with them to see if they have any photos or memories they would like to highlight. By working together, you can create a fuller, longer scrapbook for your parents to enjoy.

You can go the traditional route by buying a blank scrapbook and filling it, but it could be done all online. Making a photo book is easy on Google Photos. You can have one photo a page or make a collage in just a few clicks.

Take a family portrait

Gather your parents, aunts and uncles, siblings, cousins, and children for a full family portrait. The more generations you can include in the photo, the better. Have it printed in a good size and put in a frame, then gift it to your parents. They will love having the full family photo hanging in their home.

The portrait will be the gift that keeps giving, as it’s something the family can pass on and enjoy for generations.

Spend time together

Chances are, your parents aren’t vying for gifts. More than anything, they want to spend time with you and the rest of the family. They would likely be happy just sitting in the living room with the rest of the family and chatting, but you can make the day a little more special with a few of these suggestions.

• Share a family meal: For many families, food is one of the key ways they bond. Plan a family brunch, lunch, or cookout, and enjoy one another’s presence as you prepare the meal. You could even take this meal to a park for a picnic.
• Plan an outing: When was the last time the family went out together? Make an event out of the day by going somewhere with the whole family. An “outing” can be as simple or complex as you’d like it to be, just take into account your parents’ needs.
• Family reunion: Especially over the past few years, families couldn’t get together like they once did. Get in contact with your family for a reunion. This would be a great opportunity to take a family portrait.

Make sure your parents are taken care of

You can’t always be there for your elderly parents. For many children of seniors, it can be nerve-wracking to leave their parents alone for too long. Settle those nerves by hiring an in-home caregiver.

At Home Care Powered by AUAF, our in-home caregivers can help your parents with whatever daily activities they require assistance with. From personal care to light housekeeping, to errands, to companionship, whatever level of care your loved one needs, we can help. Call 773-274-9262 for more information on our services.