by Shauna Dorko –
It is officially the month for lovers, and with Valentine’s Day nearing, our thoughts turn to romance and our sweethearts or even wanna-be sweethearts. Although February 14 is known around the world as “the day of love,” seniors may struggle with this special day for several reasons.
Many seniors have lost the love of their life due to age-related circumstances – perhaps their sweethearts have passed away due to illness, or they may have been moved into old age facilities due to debilitating conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia, acute mobility issues or other challenges where they require specialized 24-hour care. The anxiety, loneliness and depression that such separation between loved ones causes is not only hard for seniors to bear emotionally, but often results in physical deterioration as well. I’m sure we’re all well acquainted with the old adage that he or she “died of a broken heart.”
During their elder years, seniors’ social lives may decline due to the passing on of their spouse and/or close friends. Seniors’ disabilities may impact socialization, including the potential to gain a new love interest, causing them to remain at home more.
We all deserve to feel special on Valentine’s Day, so let’s not forget about the seniors in our lives. Here are a few thoughtful ways to brighten their day.
• Send a special senior a lovely floral bouquet to let them know they are loved and thought of;
• Ask them to share old photos of their sweetheart(s), or treasured romantic letters that they’ve received;
•Take a senior out for lunch or dinner and spoil them, or if they are home-bound, bring them their favourite meal;
•Bring or send a senior’s best-loved goody or treat – a favourite box of candy or chocolates to enjoy. Even better: something you’ve made for them yourself;
•Help them download or set up their favourite romantic music in a medium they can easily access;
•If distance is a factor, mail them a carefully-selected Valentine’s Day card, or simply call them to say “I love you.” Those three little words mean more to a senior than you will ever know.
Because romantic love is often associated with the young, it may be easy to forget that seniors are still very capable of falling in love. I distinctly remember my grandmother saying to me while in my 20s: “I may look old, but in my heart I still feel like a young schoolgirl.”
Written in collaboration with Sherrin Griffin. We welcome all comments, suggestions and ideas for future columns. Please email us at news@seasidemagazine.ca with “Seniors” in the subject line.
