Your summer is in full swing and now you are ready to celebrate the founding of our country, JULY 4TH! This is the pinnacle of the summer for many families and friends. As you know, the holiday can be tough on a lot of people and most especially on our aging population. So how can you make this holiday a memorable and enjoyable one for your family? Here are some fun tips to help you plan and enjoy the July 4th weekend.

5 Tips to Celebrate July 4th with Aging Loved Ones

• Celebrate with Patriotic Music

Finding music is a blast and there are so many choices! You can use Youtube and locate a great playlist. Have fun, and you will be amazed how different songs evoke different memories and lead to enjoyable times with the entire family. Also, music is so beneficial for brain health and anxiety. Turn on the tunes and enjoy the holiday with your friends and family. 

• Have a Blast with Food

It is not a holiday without an amazing food lineup. I think adults get more excited for food than kids! You need to remember to keep it light and be mindful of the diet of some aging adults with diet restrictions or other digestive issues. Then have a blast with strawberries and blueberries and ice cream. You can set up an ice cream bar, or if dairy is an issue, maybe have health treats cut in shapes of stars to celebrate with a patriotic symbol. Whatever your menu consists of, make it fun for the holiday and keep it light!  

• Enjoy the Fireworks

Red, White and BOOM! The fireworks can be fun to enjoy together, but remember sometimes the sounds are alarming for aging parents. Make sure to have a good distance, and you could bring earplugs, if you think that you are too close to the sounds. However, mom or dad will enjoy family and friend time watching the bright colors of fireworks. Enjoy the oohs and ahs together.

• Play Games

Nothing like a holiday to play games, and especially the July 4th holiday, when you can have fun games inside or outside, if the weather cooperates. Remember the heat can be a factor in a good party. Therefore, if it is too hot, bring your mom or dad inside for awhile, so they can rehydrate and not get too tired from the heat. Anything from card games to bingo to bocce ball are all fun games for family time during the July 4th weekend. What about karaoke or watching old time favorite movies? These and many more ideas to celebrate and be together are awesome for aging loved ones.

• Tell Stories

Finally the best part of celebrating the holiday is telling stories. These stories can be related to times in the military or family old traditions of childhood. Also, stories about family history and how their ancestors got to America are fascinating. It is fun to engage your parents in remembering the good ole days of their youth. Parents love sharing stories, and it is great for their memory to recall some of the old times together. It is also a great time to check how mom or dad is doing and do you see signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. 

All in all, the holiday is the best time to bring your aging parents along and let them feel a part of your life, family, and friends. Remember, to make sure they are comfortable, hydrated, and not too hot, while partaking in the July 4th celebration. Need more tips or advice with caring for aging parents or loved ones? Contact Ann at Senior Living Options and with her years of experience, she can help guide you.

Author: Ann Jamison

Ann Jamison is an experienced senior advisor who has successfully worked with hundreds of families to help them find the best care and home-like environment for themselves or their loved ones. Prior to launching Senior Living Options, Ann was an eldercare advisor for a national placement agency and served as sales director at a senior living community. Thanks to her 25-year career in advertising sales and marketing, Ann is able to discern between hype and reality for her clients. Ann recognizes that there are objective factors that need to be weighed when making a life-changing decision, but she can also assess the important softer attributes by getting to know her clients and by using the gut instincts that can only come through extended experience.