Next Monday is Independence Day in the United States and this would be a great time to enjoy a festive 4th with the seniors in your life! With summer heat bearing down this July, there are certain things to keep in mind before heading out to celebrate the July 4th holiday.
As caregivers, we know that the warm summer temperatures, the cacophony of July 4th and large groups of people that come together during holidays can be tough for seniors. Whether you are heading out to a large celebration or just staying home, use these tips to make sure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday!
- Be prepared: If the seniors in your life want to enjoy a traditional outdoor celebration, make activities friendlier to enhance the day. Having a cool shaded area during the heat of the day for seniors to stay out of the sun, bringing a portable chair to relax in and ensuring your senior family members stay hydrated can help keep your festivities going all day long!
- Enjoy a traditional barbecue: Barbecues are always a great family time, so if possible, throw a backyard barbecue and invite family and friends to enjoy the day with your seniors. Serving hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad and other fun foods for the 4th will allow everyone to enjoy the holiday together. Get your senior family members involved by asking them to help with decorations or food preparation to get them into the spirit of the day!
- Be understanding: If your senior family members have dietary or sun exposure restrictions, do what you can to try and ease any self-consciousness that they may have. If you need to cut up their food before they eat, take care of that away from others so that your seniors aren’t embarrassed. If you are worried that they are getting overheated in the hot sun, bring them inside to cool down and sit with them so they aren’t alone. Some seniors might feel obligated to stay with the family and not bring attention to themselves, but being understanding of their needs can help keep them and your family comfortable throughout the day!
- Bring the party indoors: If the seniors in the family are unable or uncomfortable with being outside, bring the party indoors for them. Watching patriotic movies, enjoying fireworks displays on TV or listening to some favorite songs can help seniors enjoy the day, even if they aren’t able to spend time outdoors.
Spending time together with your senior family members this July 4th holiday can be a wonderfully rewarding experience for them and your family. Regardless of what you do this Independence Day, sharing the experience with the seniors in your life can make this holiday a great day for everyone. If you have a question about the best way to prepare for the July 4th holiday, or other topics related to caregiving, contact our “Just Ask FirstLight” service today for more information!