Thanksgiving is a time for reflecting upon all our blessings. Reflection and gratefulness are skills that we regularly see demonstrated by our wonderful clients. We are often reminded to be thankful for all that we have and to be appreciative for all the small blessings that we unknowingly take for granted. Even during these unprecedented times, we are thankful for the opportunity to serve our wonderful clients. Thanksgiving is also a time for family and celebration. But when a loved one in your family requires elderly care and support, you might worry if they are able to partake in a big family event. Thanksgiving can oftentimes be emotionally difficult for many seniors, leaving them feeling stressed or perhaps even lonely. But there are many ways to ensure that Thanksgiving can be enjoyable and stress-free for our elderly family and friends.

Specifically, if you have senior loved ones showing signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease — or if they are beginning to lose some of their physical strength and capabilities— your traditional Thanksgiving celebration may need to be changed a bit to accommodate their needs.

Our elderly clients, many of whom lived through very difficult times, know all too well how lean years feel. Many lived through the depression era when even necessities were in scarce supply; they lived during the war and experienced shortages, rations, and were in constant danger; they immigrated to places and had to build new lives starting from scratch. They learned how to savor every blessing, to be grateful for each miracle, and to never take anything for granted. We can certainly learn from our elderly clients!

When our clients tell us stories from their youth—stories of courage, determination, and gratitude—there is always a common thread. The stories are never focused on possessions or money or things. The stories are centered around the people who mattered most—family, friends and loved ones.

The blessings that are most memorable, even decades later, are the blessings of the most beloved people in their lives. Honoring a friendship, caring for family, falling in love, raising a family, helping a sibling, being loyal above all else—these are the elements that truly matter. These are the blessings to focus upon; these are the blessings for which we should be most grateful.

Our clients teach us many important lessons, but gratitude and the importance of relationships would be at the top of the list. This Thanksgiving season, we want to take the time to reflect upon the relationships that are most important in our lives and to express gratitude to those people.

Some Tips for the Thanksgiving Holiday:

Choose Senior-Friendly Foods

Thanksgiving is a time for feasting with friends and family. Seniors often have more trouble eating, due to dental health, older taste buds, and chewing strength concerns. If a member of your family requires senior care, it’s a good idea to build parts of your Thanksgiving dinner around what they can and can’t eat. Consider making dishes that are easy to chew and gentle on those with dentures. Also, try to cut back on salt in favor of other seasonings. And if your loved one has a Thanksgiving favorite that they might have issues chewing — such as turkey — you can help by cutting their food into manageable pieces.

Make Traveling Easier

If you need to travel long distances with a senior loved one this Thanksgiving, take steps to make sure their ride is a comfortable one. Seniors are often more sensitive and susceptible to cold, so if you’re driving and the weather’s a little frosty, consider bringing a blanket. You might want to make sure they are comfortable by offering a support cushion to help with their posture.

Also, make sure you’ve packed any medications that your loved one might need while away from home.

Schedule Professional Elderly Care

Most senior care agencies like Philia keep caregivers available throughout the year, including over holidays like Thanksgiving. If you think that your loved one would benefit from having an senior care provider with them for the holiday, speak with our agency about scheduling care. Having a professional caregiver around for Thanksgiving can help you ensure your loved one is looked after, giving you the chance to spend your day enjoying your time with the whole family.

This Thanksgiving, take advantage of the extra friends and family and allow them to help see to the needs of your senior loved one. Regardless of what you decide to do together, any time you share is a precious gift. And with these tips, we hope you can ensure that your elderly loved one has a special day, while you enjoy your holiday as well.