Are you trying to spend more time with your elderly parents? Here is a list of fun things you can do to keep that bond strong and make lifelong memories to cherish.
As your parents age, they may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. They might feel lonelier, especially if they spend most of their time in a nursing home. However, if you spend considerable time hanging out and talking or engaging in fun activities together, the loneliness can soon become a memory to reminisce about.
Garden strolls and chats
If your parents are in a nursing home, make sure that you make frequent visits to spend quality time with them. If your parents enjoy books or magazines, take some reading material and spend time reading aloud to them.
Or Play their favorite music or songs from their era. Music can be therapeutic and trigger pleasant memories and emotions. Whatever floats their boat!
Take a stroll in a garden and enjoy a one-on-one chat. These one-on-one chats will help you ensure they are safe and comfortable in the nursing home. You can even take legal action if they have suffered an injury because of the staff’s negligence.
If you feel your parents are hiding something, ask them to open up. It could be something the staff has done that made them worried. In this case, we suggest suing a nursing home for negligence and setting an example for others to follow!
Sharing family recipes
Cooking together with elderly parents can be a delightful and heartwarming experience. Not only does it create an opportunity to bond and share quality time, but it also allows you to learn from their culinary wisdom.
Feel free to steal the treasured family recipes handed down through generations. You can even take those traditional family recipes with a trendy twist! Combine grandma’s old-school casserole with a millennial avocado toast or sprinkle dad’s classic spaghetti with some „hipster-approved“ kale.
After all, cooking with your elderly parents doesn’t have to be a traditional, serious affair!
Karaoke Cabaret
Turn your living room into a dazzling cabaret and challenge your parents to a sing-off. Gather some classic tunes from their younger days. From Elvis Presley to The Beatles, let the musical time machine take you on a journey back to the golden era of music.
You can even form epic duet partnerships and perform classic duets together. From „Islands in the Stream“ to „Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,“ the power of two voices will surely captivate the room.
And remember the feather boas and funky hats for a full-blown diva experience. Remember, the worse the singing, the more fun you’ll have!
Tech-Free Game Night
Bid farewell to screens and say hello to old-school board games! Dust off those Scrabble boards, Monopoly sets, or even a deck of cards for a night of friendly competition and hilarious banter. Gather around a table with a deck of cards and play timeless card games like Poker, Rummy, or Bridge. It’s not just about winning; it’s about the banter, teasing, and laughter that comes with each hand.
Just be ready for your parents to show you who the true champions are, and watch out for cunning tactics and the occasional sneaky cheat!
Time Travel Throwback
Bring out the dusty photo albums and let the nostalgia flow! Explore their past adventures and fashion faux pas while sipping mocktails (or cocktails, if they’re up for it). Challenge them to recreate some iconic poses for an Instagram-worthy #TBT!
You can also take a drive down memory lane by visiting places from your parents‘ past. Whether it’s their childhood home, old schools, or favorite hangout spots, reminiscing together will bring smiles and stories flooding back.
Garden Glory
Take your green thumbs (or lack thereof) to the garden and grow something together! Whether it’s a small herb garden or a tiny jungle of plants, nurturing nature can be a rewarding and chuckle-worthy experience.
Feel free to transform the garden into a vibrant canvas of colors as you plant various flowers and plants. Let your parents pick their favorite blooms and witness the magic of new life sprouting under their care.
After all, who wouldn’t want to arrange a garden picnic with delicious treats and refreshing drinks?
Silver Screen Cinema
Transform your living room into a cozy movie theater and curate a movie marathon with their favorite classics. Prepare some popcorn and discuss how „movies were better back in their day“ while snuggling up for an entertaining evening.
From the heartwarming romance of „Casablanca“ to the adventure of „Indiana Jones,“ every movie will bring timeless classics back to life and create unforgettable moments of joy and nostalgia.
A book club for two, please!
Create a tranquil reading retreat at home with comfy chairs, soft blankets, snacks, and drinks. It would be your little sanctuary for uninterrupted reading pleasure.
If your parent is a critic, there is a high chance you adopted the same! Make the most of this and share your thoughts after finishing a book. Not only is it fun, but it would also make that bond stronger.
Visiting Art galleries
If your parent loves art, what better place to hang out than an art gallery? Exploring art galleries together will provide an opportunity for quality time and bonding. It allows you to engage in meaningful conversations, share perspectives on art, and create lasting memories in a unique and enriching setting.
Also, art has the power to evoke emotions and provoke thought. Visiting galleries with your parents allows for open discussions about feelings, interpretations, and personal connections to the artworks. You know what to do if you and your parents aren’t the best at communicating!
Conclusion
Spending time with elderly parents is an act of duty and an opportunity to create meaningful connections, share love and laughter, and create lasting memories.
Hence, ensure that you make your every visit count. Take them out for lunches, movies, and shopping. Have one-on-one chats and talk about everything meaningful and important. What could be more fun than that?