Summer has reached its end and school is back in full swing. But on the Sunday after Labor Day it’s time for grandparents to take center stage.
National Grandparents Day in the U.S. falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day- this year September 10. The holiday was made official in 1978 by the United States Congress and signed by President Jimmy Carter. It’s a great opportunity for families to get together and celebrate the matriarchs and patriarchs of the family.
But heading to grandma and grandpa’s home can be an anxious time for some grandchildren who might not know what to expect from the visit to a senior living community. Here are some tips to make a visit with the grandchildren a success for everyone.
- Call ahead. If your senior is in an assisted living or a memory care community, it’s a great idea to bring the staff into the loop about the visit. Because the staff is with the senior daily, they can help to remind the senior about the visit and help review the plans for the day.
- Schedule your visit at an appropriate time. Many seniors thrive on routine and enjoy specific activities daily like their resident clubs or outings. Don’t assume your senior has an open calendar. Make sure the visit doesn’t interfere with their schedule.
- Check with medical providers and support staff on the timing of the visit. Some seniors, especially those in memory care communities, are more coherent and engaged at a certain time of the day. Work with staff to schedule a visit at the best time of the day.
- Plan an activity or distraction. Before the visit, come up with a fun activity that will be engaging but not frustrating for both your senior and visiting grandkids. That might be a craft project or game or even a school project that will help focus the conversation.
- Talk to kids before you go. If they haven’t seen grandma or grandpa in a while, prepare them for any changes in their hearing or physical abilities. It will help prepare children if they see things like a hearing aid, oxygen tank or wheelchair.
- Plan a visit around an event. Senior communities often have family-focused events like brunches, performances, or movie nights. An event can help create conversations between the generations.
- Enjoy the senior living community amenities. Some senior communities offer amenities and spaces that allow families to feel at home when they visit. Perhaps like at The Seneca Rockville, the community has a pool table, outdoor lawn games or a community garden that can make the visit fun for everyone.
- Ask for a private dining space. Dining areas can be noisy and distracting making conversations with seniors difficult. If the senior community has private dining areas, book that space for your visit for an easier conversation over a meal.
- Suggest an outing. Visiting grandparents doesn’t mean you have to contain your visit to the senior living community. Check if your senior community provides concierge services like the Seneca Rockville does. This way, you can plan a day trip or an evening out and be confident that a welcoming staff will be available to help your senior upon returning home.
- Leave a memento of your visit. Grandparents love to boast about their family. Bring a trophy from your latest soccer game, a hand-drawn picture or even a new family photo to celebrate the day.
Grandparents Day is a great opportunity to schedule a time to visit the special senior in your life. And today’s senior living communities like The Seneca Rockville offer the living spaces, amenities and staff to help make that visit successful. A little pre-planning will ensure your senior and your family get the most out of your visit.
