Thanksgiving Ideas for Nursing Homes

Thanksgiving ideas for nursing homes can include both the tried and true traditions as well as some new activities to mark the occasion. While many residents will go home with family for the holiday, others will want something to take their minds off family and friends that may be gone. Many homes even offer events that include the residents' families in the celebration.

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.

• Decorations: Adding a few simple touches to both the main social areas of the nursing home and to individual rooms can set the mood for the holiday. Pumpkins, turkeys, fall leaves and cornucopias all add to the motif.

• Plays: Residents can either watch a play or put on a play about the pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving.

Although it is important to stick with some familiar activities, there are also some unique ideas that can help residents celebrate Thanksgiving. These are a good way to connect with other residents and family members who may only visit occasionally, or may live too far away to make it in for the holiday.

• Grandparent & Grandchild Pumpkins: Those residents who are able would likely enjoy a planned outing to the local pumpkin patch and the opportunity to take along a grandchild. Be sure to purchase extra pumpkins for those unable to make the trip themselves or offer a mock pumpkin patch in the recreation hall of the nursing home.

• Pumpkin Seeds: Scooping out the insides of the pumpkin and roasting the seeds can be a fun activity for anyone. The rest of the pumpkin can be used as well to make pumpkin dishes for the residents to eat later.

• Thankfulness: Host an "I'm Thankful" party. Residents should dress in fall colors of burnt orange, yellow, deep red, and browns, and come prepared to share with one another what they are thankful for in their lives. This has an added benefit of cheering residents up as they think about all the good things in their lives.

• Secret Santa: Thanksgiving day is a good time to draw names if your home participates in a secret Santa program or a gift exchange between residents. Secret Santa can be as simple as writing one another letters of encouragement, or it can include small gifts as well.

There really isn't a wrong way to start Thanksgiving traditions. Think about what the nursing home residents enjoy most. Does the group enjoy watching movies? Going on a trip to the theater or having a screening in-home can provide a lot of enjoyment. If most of the group enjoys games and cards, then arrange for a little friendly competition. The winner can get a Thanksgiving themed prize, such as a dancing turkey or nice bouquet of fall flowers for their room.

With a little imagination and ingenuity, the sky is the limit when it comes to for Thanksgiving ideas for nursing home celebrations.

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