The holidays can be a lonely time for seniors with health conditions or mobility issues that may prevent them from participating in fun activities and events.
As a caregiver, there are many things you can do to bring some joy and excitement to seniors’ lives over the holidays.
Whether you are a family caregiver, a concerned family member, or a professional care provider, offering up some fun holiday cheer can make a big difference.
Easter can be celebrated for religious reasons, or just as a commemoration of the beginning of spring.
Either way, many seniors will have long histories of celebrating the Easter holiday throughout their lives, and would likely be very pleased to be included in holiday celebrations this year.
Fun Easter Activities for Seniors in Ottawa
There are all kinds of good options for senior enjoyment over the Easter holiday.
Some ideas to consider may include:
- Making decorations
- Preparing an egg hunt
- Easter baskets and other crafts
- Games
- Church service
- Music
- Potluck
- Easter gifts
Making Decorations
If you are planning on having a family gathering this holiday weekend, one great way to include an aging loved one is to get them involved right from the beginning.
Making Easter decorations can be an excellent activity for seniors to help them feel like they are part of the action.
Some classic Easter decorations to consider creating are:
- Painted eggs
- Painted balloons
- Bunny ears
- Wreaths
- Table decorations
Making painted eggs is one Easter activity that most people have participated in at one point or another. It is a perfect activity because it is easy, and anyone can get involved.
You can also do the same thing with balloons, that look like larger versions of the painted eggs.
Preparing an Egg Hunt
This suggestion is likely only practical for seniors with grandkids. Or, perhaps your loved one might enjoy doing the searching on an Easter egg hunt?
Seniors can get involved by filling plastic eggs with treats and toys and then helping to hide them around the house.
They can give hints to the young ones about where to find the hidden treasures.
Easter Baskets and Other Crafts
There are a wide variety of options to look at when it comes to making Easter baskets.
The first step is the basket itself, which can either be made from construction paper and ribbon, or baskets can be purchased to be filled with treats, trinkets, and tidbits.
Baskets can be made from many different materials, like:
- Candy boxes
- Popsicle sticks
- Cloth/fabric
- Mason jars
- Stuffed animals
- String
- Milk carton
- Any container that can be loaded with treats
Other crafts can include bunnies, eggs, lamb, and sheep made from any material you can make work.
Games
An amusing and fun Easter activity for seniors is customized games that the whole family can play.
There are many basic games that be adopted to include an Easter theme, with prizes for everyone.
Some Easter game ideas might be:
- Easter bingo
- Puzzles
- Matching games
- Easter trivia
- Word scrambles
- Scavenger hunt
- Charades
- Pictionary
The games do not have to be overly complicated, just something to get everyone involved and generate some smiles and laughter.
Church Service
Some seniors may be interested in attending a church service sometime during Easter weekend. This may be a family tradition or a new Easter activity.
A church service can offer entertainment, spirituality, music, singing, and social interaction for seniors.
Music
If church is not your thing, you can still reminisce with some traditional Easter music.
Some Easter classics like “Easter Parade” may evoke some fond memories.
Potluck
Depending on health and mobility, arranging an Easter potluck can be an enjoyable event for seniors.
Whether it’s a family potluck, or one you help arrange for your loved one and their friends, this is a great opportunity for some good food and good laughs.
Contributing a dish to a potluck event can help seniors feel useful and involved.
Easter Gifts
I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying “It’s the thought that counts”. This is very true, and even just a little gift over the holidays can brighten your loved one’s entire weekend.
A perfect gift for Easter and the start of spring is an Easter lily. This beautiful flower represents purity, hope, innocence, and peace.
