Mother’s & Father’s Day with Aging Parents: Celebration & Gifting Ideas

Physical Limitations: Keep your loved one’s physical limitations in mind when picking activities to ensure it’s something they can easily manage and enjoy. Consider the number of stairs, distance from parking, and all the spaces they’ll need to navigate. Remember to schedule time for rest, too! 

How to Accommodate: Find fun ways to spend a day that don’t involve extra steps - catch a play, take a scenic drive or tram tour, or enjoy a tasting experience at a winery or restaurant! 

Sensory Sensitivities: If your parent’s vision or hearing has declined, opt for well-lit spaces and try to keep background noise to a minimum. We recommend scheduling your outing during non-peak hours.

How to Accommodate: Botanical gardens and art museums are great options for a calm, quiet outing. 

Dietary needs: Certain foods might be difficult to chew or swallow for older adults. Your loved one may also need to avoid foods with too much salt or sugar. Consider their dietary restrictions and preferences when planning meals or snacks. 

How to Accommodate: Pick restaurants with a variety of healthy menu options or control the menu completely by making your loved one’s favorite meal (including dessert!) at home. 

Emotional well-being: For seniors experiencing memory loss, focus on creating a positive and familiar atmosphere and intentionally involve them in conversations and activities they can enjoy. 

How to Accommodate: Come prepared with questions and topics to facilitate a conversation everyone, including your parent and even grandkids, can be a part of. Ask easy but personal questions such as “What was the best gift you’ve ever been given?” or “What is something you are proud of?”

Gift Giving: Finding the perfect gift for Mom or Dad can be a challenge, especially when they seem to have everything they need or if they’re in the process of downsizing. 

Here’s a list of some of our favorite gift ideas for Mom or Dad: 

• Picture Perfect: Set up a digital picture frame so you can continuously update it with new pictures for them to enjoy. For puzzle-loving parents, you can turn a favorite family photo into a custom-designed puzzle for them to complete!

• Personalized Jewelry: Surprise your parent with a bracelet featuring the birthstones of all their children or a new watch engraved with a message from you.
• Consumables: Consider gifts that your parent will enjoy but won’t permanently take up space like lotions, bath salts, delicious treats, or nice wine.
• A Heartfelt Card: Writing your Mom or Dad a card expressing your love and gratitude for them can be the most special gift you can give! Including homemade art from the grandkids is always a favorite, too!   

Regardless of the specific activities or gifts you choose, the most important thing is to make sure your parent feels loved and appreciated! From all of us here at Chapters Living, we wish you and our loved ones a happy Mother’s Day and Father's Day! 

Interested in Chapters Living for your Mom or Dad? Give us a call!