April showers, renewal, reflection, and celebration are all linked with spring. For some, it means the end to fasting and amazing food celebrations; for others, April signals the end of the winter weather and a chance to enjoy the outdoors. It is a busy and culturally rich time of year.
In many cultures, springtime is also a time for worship and for gathering with family and friends. Whether you celebrate Easter, Passover, Ramadan, or Sham En-Nessim, these festivals are fantastic ways to connect with your senior loved ones and get to know the neighbours in your community.
Celebrating Spring Festivals with Older Adults
All Seniors Care living communities are wonderfully diverse – every resident has a unique background and story. We help seniors feel at home by learning about those stories, as well as their values, religious practices, and cherished holiday celebrations.
In the days leading up to the festivities, residents make traditional decorations, research the country of origin, share stories about their travels and details about their culture through discussion groups. Many communities also host cultural entertainment, music, or dancing, while our Chefs make special dishes from the specific country or region.
Read on to find out how you can celebrate and honor both secular and non-secular observances this year.
Celebrating Passover with Your Elderly Loved One
You may be wondering how you can celebrate this Passover with your senior loved ones. For families that have a loved one who lives in a retirement community, you can bring the holiday to them by preparing a Seder in their residence or simply joining them for a special Passover meal in their community! Here are some tips for celebrating Passover with your loved ones.
- Cook matzo brei together
- Have a Seder Cup decorating contest
- Create personalized Seder placemats or place cards
- Make a Matzah house
- Hold a Seder in your building’s private dining area
- Have the youngest person present ask the Four Questions
- Search for the afikomen
- Sing Passover songs
- Listen to Seder Night Around the World on April 9th
- Host a discussion about Passover for others in your residence.
Passover is observed from the evening of Wed, Apr 5 to the evening of Thu, Apr 13 in 2023.
Fun Easter Activities for Senior Living
From virtual Easter egg hunts to crafting with the kids, communities around Canada are gearing up for this weekend’s celebrations.
In keeping with the fun, Activity Directors in our senior independent and supported living communities are busy planning events for residents. Activities, decorations, religious observances, and special meals are in the works. Contact individual residences for more information! Here are some of our favourite ideas:
- Decorate your home with colourful Easter-themed decorations
- Host an Easter Egg Hunt and invite the grandchildren
- Make Easter Baskets
- Host a Chocolate Bunny-Making Class
- Play Fun Easter-Inspired Games or Competitions
- Invite a pet therapy rabbit to visit
- Schedule an Easter Bunny visit
- Dye Easter Eggs
Easter weekend begins with Good Friday on April 7 until Easter Sunday on April 9, 2023.
Observing Ramadan in Later Life
Ramadan Mubarak! For Muslims around the globe, Ramadan is a unique and special time of fasting, prayer, reflection, giving to charity, and spending time with family and friends. During Ramadan, Muslims in good health do not eat from sunrise to sunset. After the last day of Ramadan, a three-day festival, Eid-al-Fitr is held. Try these activity ideas for older adults in independent and assisted living:
- Create a Ramadan wreath with flowers
- Make a Ramadan lantern
- Cook Halal Rice Crispy Treats
- Create crescent moon Eid cards.
- Host a Secret Eid
- Enjoy an Iftar meal at sunset to break the fast.
- Eat sweet foods and spend time with family for Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan began on Thursday March 23rd and ends on Thursday April 20th in 2023. Eid al-Fitr (the “Festival of Breaking Fast”) is to be celebrated on Friday, April 21st -Sunday, April 23rd.
All Seniors Care – Supporting Your Loved Ones
If your parent has recently transitioned to one of our retirement communities in Ontario, it is important to help them stay connected during the Spring holidays. Talk to them about their valued traditions. Staying connected to religious traditions can help seniors overcome the blues and SAD — and also help them feel more connected to their communities and families.
At All Seniors Care, we pride ourselves on our open and welcoming senior housing communities that embrace all residents with open arms. Whether it’s at one of our longstanding retirement lodges in Winnipeg, or at our newest senior community in Calgary opening soon, we take resident comfort seriously. Get in touch today so we can help your loved ones stay connected to their faith during the spring holiday season.
Writer – Julianna McLeod
Julianna is a health and wellness expert at All Seniors Care. Her mission is to create content that empowers seniors to form sustainable solutions for lasting health and happiness. She is an experienced writer, editor, and Recreational Therapist living in Toronto.