Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, enjoy delicious food, and spend time with loved ones. If you are a resident of an assisted living community, or if you have a loved one who is, you may be wondering how to celebrate Thanksgiving. Rest assured, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday and make it memorable whether you live close to family or far apart. Here are some tips on how to celebrate and make the most out of Thanksgiving in assisted living.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Assisted Living
Create a Festive Space
Get into the holiday spirit by hanging up some of your favorite fall and Thanksgiving-themed decorations. From garlands and wreaths to tablecloths and centerpieces, a little holiday cheer can go a long way. Try to incorporate items from past Thanksgiving that remind you of your favorite holiday memories.
Enjoy a Special Thanksgiving Meal
Just because you’re not cooking a turkey doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving feast. If your family lives close by, make plans to join them for a special meal or talk to staff members/activities directors about hosting a potluck on campus with your family members in one of the gathering rooms.
Utilizing a gathering room on campus may depend on the county’s COVID-19 positivity rate, so please check with the campus directly to confirm availability and the current COVID-19 protocols. Learn more about our current COVID-19 policies and visitation guidelines here.
If your family lives far away, talk to the team members about joining your friends and team members for a meal on campus.
Enjoy Community Events
Many assisted living facilities will host special Thanksgiving events and themed activities leading up to and on the holiday. This is a great way to meet new people and get involved in your assisted living community.
Nye Health Services team members are passionate about celebrating special events to ensure residents feel at home even if they are far away. Talk to the team members and check the activity calendar to ensure you know what special events are going on this holiday season.
Reminisce about past holiday memories
Holidays are the perfect time to revisit favorite memories. Old photos are a great way to remember happy Thanksgiving holiday memories. Bring old photos of your favorite memories if you are visiting a loved one. You’ll be surprised how remembering happy times can help spark conversation, even for loved ones suffering from dementia.
Celebrate Virtually
If you live far away from your loved one in assisted living, talk to them ahead of time about their plans. If they’re planning on attending any community events or having a mini-feast with other residents, let them know that you’re happy for them but will miss them. Just knowing that you’re thinking of them will help them feel connected to you and make the holiday special.
Schedule a video call
Technology has made it easier to stay in touch with loved ones who live far away. If you can’t be there in person, schedule a video call with your loved one on Thanksgiving day. You can catch up, chat about your plans for the day, and even share a meal together (virtually).
No matter how you choose to celebrate, Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for all the wonderful things in our lives. From our families and friends to our homes and communities, there’s so much to be thankful for.
Nye Health Services | Award-Winning Assisted Living Facilities
Nye Health Services is passionate about providing older adults with a wide range of wellness and health services that maximize health and well-being. If you are searching for an assisted living community, explore one of our three locations in eastern Nebraska. Each campus provides award-winning health and wellness services, comfortable apartments and/or suites, and numerous amenities to help you live life to the fullest!
Contact Nye Health Services to learn more about the assisted living amenities we offer or schedule a tour at any of our senior living communities in Fremont (Nye Legacy, Nye Square, & Nye Pointe), Norfolk (The Meadows), and Lincoln, Nebraska (Gateway Vista)!