Celebrating Independence Day in the Home

The 4^th of July celebrations are a yearly tradition that most of us look forward to, yet there are instances where it’s hard to get excited for Independence Day. This is true for many elderly citizens that lack the mobility to head outside and take in the celebrations with friends, family, and their community.

However, just because an elderly person can’t make it out for the big parade or firework display in their local area doesn’t mean they cannot have a fantastic Independence Day with their loved ones.

Here are some great ideas for celebrating the 4^th of July in the home with seniors while remaining comfortable:

Organize a Barbecue

It wouldn’t be a 4^th of July celebration without a grill roaring in the backyard, so you could organize a small BBQ party at their home. Invite friends and family along with any elderly neighbors that aren’t doing much themselves.

Relaxation is key:  relaxing in the yard and watching people having fun can be a great way to spend the holiday without over exerting oneself too much or feeling overwhelmed, which is especially important for anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Make Some Delicious Food

Not every senior wants to head out to the celebrations or entertain busy household on the 4^th of July, with many preferring the peace and comfort of their home. If this is the case, you can still have plenty of fun by making up some delicious food for the big day – get them to help with this or just chat along while you whip something up.

Traditional Independence Day food is easy to make and can be a great way to spend some time with them, so consider making hotdogs, burgers, coleslaw, wings, potato salad or any other traditional 4^th of July food!

You don’t even need to fire up the grill in the yard either – make food from the comfort of their kitchen so they can sit back and relax!

Get Crafty

If the person you’re caring for has a creative eye then you could spend some time making some Independence Day themed arts and crafts. For example, you could make some paper flags, homemade banners, or a stars and stripes wreath – there are countless things you can enjoy making together.

Better still, once you’ve made a few things you can decorate the place for them! If they have grandchildren then be sure to include them in the fun, as it gives them an opportunity to bond while celebrating the big day.

Have a Movie Day

Sometimes a quiet day watching movies is a great way to spend the 4^th of July, so be sure to look out fun movies for them to watch.

You can watch classics from their youth they might want to watch, or you can put a patriotic spin on it with some all-American classics like Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Lincoln, or Independence Day!

Singalong from Home

For any seniors that love to sing, having a singalong from home is an excellent way to enjoy the 4^th of July. From classics like the Star-Spangled Banner and America the Brave to hits like American Pie and Surfin’ USA, there are countless songs you can sing along from home to get you in the mood for the 4^th of July.

Watch Parades and Fireworks on TV or Online

Just because you aren’t making it to your local parade or firework display doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them from home! You won’t need to spend long flicking through local TV channels to find a live broadcast of some of 4^th of July celebrations, so be sure to check them out when celebrating from home.

Furthermore, you can bring your laptop or tablet round and watch a live stream of one of the big displays! Combine this with some other suggestions we’ve made, like making great food and decorating the house, and you’ll have yourselves a fun 4^th of July that they won’t be forgetting any time soon!