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While some residents may go to the homes of family or friends, many will remain in the nursing home on Thanksgiving missing traditional activities they shared in the past with their loved ones. Therefore, nursing homes can fill the gap and celebrate the holiday with patients. Thanksgiving ideas for seniors in nursing homes can be traditional, or they can introduce new activities to mark the occasion.
Traditional Thanksgiving Activities for Seniors
For years, nursing homes have celebrated Thanksgiving with some of the age old traditions that families all across the United States celebrate each year. These classic events help many senior citizens adapt to life in a nursing home, because there are some familiar activities. These traditions are often a comfort in the twilight years.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Most nursing homes offer a Thanksgiving dinner or turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. These are dishes that residents recognize from the time they were children until present day. Usually a few treats are thrown in as well, such as pumpkin pie and special beverages. Thanksgiving cookies, cut in traditional shapes such as turkeys, pumpkins, and cornucopias are also welcome treats around the Thanksgiving holiday.
Decorations
Adding a few Thanksgiving themed touches to the common social areas of the nursing home and to individual rooms can set the mood for the holiday. A cornucopia filled with pumpkins, corn, gourds and other autumn produce makes a colorful centerpiece in a dining room or activity room. Windows in residents’ rooms can be decorated with bright-colored leaves cut from construction paper, fabric, craft foam, or translucent paper or plastic. Patterns can be cut from a printed design or the colored leaves can be cut from the printed paper. Construction paper or craft foam leaves can be used to create wreaths for the doors or resident rooms. Glue the leaves to a grapevine or Styrofoam base. Add a bow, if desired.
Music
Traditional Thanksgiving music can be very nostalgic, bringing back memories of younger years. Music collections, such as We Gather Together, can be enjoyed by most…
This article was sourced from LovetoKnow.com