Memorial Day Care Center Activity

Seniors feel good about Memorial Day and honoring those who served our county. They can remember times and things about their lives during times of war and fighting that changed the way they lived. Give them an opportunity to share and enjoy time together.

Care centers for our seniors often appreciate when you can help them entertain those who live within their doors. We can volunteer, and if you have a loved one who lives in a care center, perhaps you could bring this activity to happen.

Simply plan an hour close to the Memorial Day holiday. Perhaps this could be a regular time of activity within the care center. Maybe you would facilitate a small group or it could be for all the residents.

Decorate the area with Memorial Day red, white and blue. Perhaps you could use flags and other patriotic things the center already has. Or, you may have something you know they'd love to see and you'd love to share with them. Quilts, paintings, or other works of art are especially enjoyed.

Print out some song sheets and research music they'd enjoy if that would be appropriate. Seniors do love music and many love to sing or clap along.

The main idea, however, would be the sharing of stories of days gone by. If your group is larger, it would be best if you could have some sort of microphone so everyone could hear. Or, you may want to repeat some of the things they say.

Many of these people will have served during wartime or times of trouble. Others are the unsung heroes who stayed behind and had to keep things moving. Women had to take jobs, move, live on little or hardly anything. They raised children by themselves and they worried.

The world was much different then. How did they connect and where did they get their support? Ask questions that you've prepared ahead of time. Be flexible if your hour doesn't go as you'd planned, but try to move things along so anyone who wishes gets a chance to speak.

A good snack would be a decorated cake, cookies and/or fruit. You could bring paper products, or the care center may suggest you use theirs. Seniors love to share stories while they sit around the table.

If you'd like, a small paper flag could be a token for the residents to take back to their rooms after the Memorial Day activity hour.

Please verify all of your plans with the activity director or other person at the care center prior to the day of the activity. Clean up everything when you are finished. Sometimes seniors love to help.