How to Celebrate Grandparents' Day at the Nursing Home

Grandparents' Day is the first Sunday after Labor Day each year. Celebrate Grandparents' Day at the nursing home with your own loved one or with a resident that would benefit from a caring visitor.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time

1. Make a plan to visit your loved one in the nursing home on Grandparents' Day and mark it on your calendar. If you don't have a loved one to visit in a nursing home contact your local nursing home and see if you can visit that day and "adopt a grandparent". There may be one or several residents that would appreciate your company.

2. Bring a special edible treat to share. Nursing home food is like hospital food or school cafeteria food. It's made in bulk and not always that enjoyable to eat. Some nursing homes will allow family members to bring in food for their resident. Call ahead first to see if the policy at their home allows it and to make sure there are no restrictions due to diet or allergies. Once you get the go ahead you can bring in baked goods, take-out, or a meal you've made.

3. To celebrate Grandparents' Day at the nursing home you can bring games or puzzles to share. Playing games and doing puzzles is a great way to spend time together. This works well to break the ice if you are visiting someone that you don't know well or are unsure about how to make conversation with them. You can play with one resident at a time or a few may want to join in.

4. Have story time. Read aloud from a favorite book or magazine. Let the person you are visiting tell you stories from their past. Or share stories of your memories together.

5. Write a special letter to your loved one. Tell them how they have made a difference in your life, what you love about them, and why you are happy to have them as a grandparent or grandparent figure. Give it to them to read or read it to them. If you're not into writing letters you can make it short and sweet and write it in a card.

6. Share some of your photos. Bring in old photos and new photos both. You can take a trip down memory lane with your loved one and share your recent special events with them.

7. Interview the person you are honoring on Grandparents' Day. You can can write down their stories as they talk and photograph them, or make a video of them speaking. Afterwards you can make a copy for yourself, a copy for the person you interviewed, and perhaps copies for other family members that would cherish it.

8. Get outside. You may be able to get permission to take your loved one for a stroll around the grounds of the nursing home or you may even be able to get permission for them to leave the home for a couple of hours under your care. They may enjoy the change in scenery.

9. Bring in your children to visit their grandparent, great-grandparent, or other resident. It is a good idea to check with the home first to make sure your resident is up for a visit from children. Many times residents love having children around but sometimes they find it overwhelming. Once you know it's okay to bring them in prepare your children with anything they may need to know ahead of time. This is especially important if they have never been to the nursing home or haven't seen the person they are visiting in a really long time. For example tell them if Great-Grandpa Joe can't hear well, if Aunt Jane needs an oxygen tank to help her breathe, or if Grandma has a neighbor that likes to yell. Keep it matter-of-fact and do not show concern over it and chances are they won't be concerned either. Keep the visit short if anyone seems uncomfortable though.

10. Show off your trained pet to the residents. Sometimes nursing homes allow people to bring in well trained cats or dogs for the residents to interact with and enjoy. You must arrange this with the nursing home first so call ahead.

11. Celebrate Grandparents' Day at the nursing home by giving gifts. Flowers (consider silk so they won't need to be watered), a framed photo or piece of artwork, or a nice throw blanket will help to brighten up rooms and brighten up spirits. Cozy socks and slippers are often used and appreciated. Large print books, crossword puzzles, and movies can help to entertain and help pass the time. A nice tie, bowtie, scarf, or piece of jewlery can make your resident feel special and attractive. A scrap book or photo album you've put together just for them can help them to feel connected. Be sure to write or engrave the name of the resident on their gift somewhere. Sometimes items get mixed up and lost if there is not a name on it.

12. Share a special talent you have. Sing, dance, or do a craft with them. You can share your talent with just your resident in their room or call ahead and ask if you can share with several of the residents in a common room.

13. Offer a hug or to hold a hand. Making a physical connection may be just what they needed and you may find you feel better too.

Tips & Warnings

• The staff members of nursing homes are usually happy to have visitors connect with their residents. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas don't hesitate to speak with the staff about them. Or ask them what they think would be a great way to celebrate Grandparents' Day at the nursing home.
• Don't just limit your visits to just Grandparents' Day. Make a special effort to visit once a week or once a month if you can.
• Consider volunteering at your local nursing home if your visits go well.
• A friendly, warm, smile and a "hello" can go a long way for someone that doesn't get many visitors. Try to smile at everyone you see at the nursing home. You may make their day.
• If you live too far away to make a visit in person send your loved one in the nursing home a letter, card, flowers, or photos, to celebrate Grandparents' Day.
• Always check with the nursing home staff before bringing in food or pets.
• Always check with the nursing home staff before bringing a resident outside or taking them on an outing away from the home.
• Check with the nursing home staff before bringing your children in for a visit if you are unsure of how your resident will react to their presence.
• Occasionally some residents are violent, loud, or easily upset. Most of them are not. If you are unsure about how the person you are interacting with may react stay aware and alret and ask them what they would like to do before proceeding with anything. Do not try to force them to do an activity they don't want to do. Never attempt to hug a resident or hold the hand of a resident that you think may have an issue with it, or that you don't know well, without asking them for their permission first. Remember that they deserve your respect.