Tips and Suggestions

Mother’s Day is a special occasion that celebrates the amazing women in our lives who have nurtured, loved, and cared for us throughout our lives. It’s also a time to honor and appreciate the seniors who have played an instrumental role in shaping our communities and society. While there are still some residual effects from the pandemic that can make it difficult to celebrate in traditional ways, there are still plenty of creative and meaningful ways to show your love and support for seniors. 

Here are some great ideas for Mother’s Day activities that you can do for or with seniors that are fun and sure to warm her heart. 

Mother’s Day Brunch (Virtual or In-Person)

One of the best ways to celebrate Mother’s Day is with a delicious brunch. If you live in the same city as your mom, be sure to check out all the special menus around town for Mother’s Day.  But, not all family members may live close to mom, and seniors may not be able to go out to a restaurant for a variety of reasons, so why not bring the brunch to them? A virtual Mother’s Day brunch is a perfect solution. Here are some tips for organizing one:

• Coordinate with local restaurants or catering services to deliver brunch packages to the senior’s homes, complete with delicious food, flowers, and personalized notes to make it a special and memorable day for them.
• Use video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype to arrange a virtual brunch where seniors can connect with their loved ones and share a meal together.
• Make sure to set the atmosphere by decorating the background and creating a festive ambiance. You can also encourage seniors to dress up and wear their favorite outfits to make the occasion extra special.

But if you’re able to, give your mother a real live hug with that brunch. That probably means more than any eggs benedict.

Memory Lane Reminiscing

As we age, memories become more precious than ever. If your mom lives in a seniors residence, creating a nostalgic experience can be a heartwarming and meaningful way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Here are some ideas for organizing a Memory Lane Reminiscing event:

• Set up a “Memory Lane” in the retirement home by decorating the area with old photos, memorabilia, and familiar items from the past.
• Organize a guided reminiscing session where seniors can share their memories and stories with each other. This can be a great way to promote socialization and connection among seniors, and in turn, provides cognitive benefits.
• Consider inviting family members or loved ones to participate virtually or in-person by sharing their own memories and stories. This can make the event even more special and personal.

Gardening Therapy

Gardening is a therapeutic activity that has been shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits, especially for seniors. Here are some ideas for organizing a gardening activity for seniors:

• Provide potted plants, flowers, and gardening tools for seniors to plant and tend to. This can be a great way to promote physical activity, reduce stress, and encourage a sense of accomplishment.
• Invite a local horticulturist or gardening expert to give a talk on gardening tips and techniques. This is a great way to engage seniors in a hands-on gardening session and provide them with new knowledge and skills.
• Consider donating the plants to a local community garden or park to promote sustainability and support local businesses.

Music Concert (Virtual or In-Person)

Music is a universal language that has the power to bring people together and create a sense of joy and happiness.  Why not check out one of the local orchestra performances with your mom for Mother’s Day?  If you don’t live close to your mom, here are some ideas for organizing a virtual music concert for seniors:

• Consider featuring local musicians or bands that play genres of music that are popular among seniors, such as jazz, classical, or folk. This can create a relaxing and enjoyable musical experience for them on Mother’s Day.
• Set up a live streaming platform where seniors can enjoy the performance from the comfort of their homes. This can be a great way to promote socialization and connection among seniors. 
• If the musicians or bands are being streamed, they could be playing from a live music venue, recording studio, or even from their own homes. When you want to stream a live performance, you need a platform to host the stream. There are many options available, like YouTube Live or Facebook Live. You’ll need to choose one that fits your budget and requirements.

 Some technical know-how is necessary to set this up. Setting up a live stream platform involves several steps. 

THE SET UP PROCESS

• First, you will need to select a streaming platform that meets your needs and budget. 
• Once you choose a platform, you need to create an account and set up the stream settings. This includes choosing the video and audio quality you want to use.  There are many platform options available, including YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Twitch, and others. If you use YouTube Live, you can use tools like OBS or Streamlabs OBS, while Facebook Live has the built-in Facebook Live Producer tool.
• Next, you need some equipment like a camera, microphone, and a computer with internet access. You can also use additional equipment like lighting or sound equipment if needed.
• Before you go live, it’s essential to test your stream to ensure that everything works correctly. You should do a test stream to check your video and audio quality and make sure your internet connection is stable.
• Encourage seniors to dance, sing along, or share their favorite memories associated with the music. This can create a fun and engaging atmosphere that promotes positive emotions and memories.

Arts and Crafts Workshop

Creating art is a creative and enriching activity that can have numerous physical and mental health benefits for seniors. Here are some ideas for organizing an arts and crafts workshop for your mom and family members:

• Provide supplies for activities such as painting, pottery, or card-making, and set up a designated area where everyone will have enough working room. This activity can be a great way to promote creativity, self-expression, and a sense of accomplishment.
• Consider inviting local artists or artisans to give a demonstration or lead a workshop. This can provide seniors with an enriching and fulfilling Mother’s Day experience and expose them to new skills and techniques.  Research in advance what supplies are needed for everyone to participate.  Having each family member create their own original work will provide everyone with a lasting reminder of the fun day.

Support Local Businesses

One of the best ways to celebrate Mother’s Day is to support local businesses that have been, and may still be, impacted by the pandemic. Here are some ideas for supporting local businesses while organizing Mother’s Day activities for seniors:

• Coordinate with local restaurants, caterers, or florists to provide services for the Mother’s Day brunch or other events. This can help promote local businesses and support the community.
• Consider purchasing plants or gardening supplies from a local garden center or nursery. This can promote sustainability and support local agriculture.
• Encourage seniors to shop for arts and crafts supplies at a local art store or attend a local art exhibit. This can promote creativity and support local artists and artisans.

Mother’s Day is a special occasion that should be celebrated with love, compassion, and conscious awareness. By organizing fun and engaging activities for seniors, we can show our appreciation and support for the amazing women in our lives who have shaped us into who we are today. Whether it’s a virtual brunch or an arts and crafts workshop, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Mother’s Day with seniors that are both meaningful and fun. So why not get started today and make this Mother’s Day a day to remember!

WE LOVE YOU, MOM!