Celebrating National I Care About You Day
Your loved ones mean the world to you. But with all the tasks being added to an already hectic schedule, it can be easy to forget that reminding them how much you care is an important part of strengthening these relationships.
When celebrating National I Care About You Day on October 25, try some of these ways to show that appreciation and tell them you care.
Take a Walk Down Memory Lane
Nothing says “I care” quite like reliving your loved one’s favorite moments with them. Creating a scrapbook or a physical collection of photos from throughout their life can make for so much more than a simple present. It’s a reminder of just how many people have been with them through thick and thin.
To make it a group gift, ask family and friends to contribute their favorite photographed memories of your loved one. Below each picture, be sure to include the name of the person cherishing the memory. And if you can’t find enough photos to fill a book to your liking, the idea works just as well by having people write about their favorite moment with your loved one. Whether it’s a brief sentence or multiple pages, it’s a great way to brighten their day.
Have an Autumn-Themed Day
Especially with Halloween right around the corner, there’s sure to be no shortage of fall fun on National I Care About You Day. From strolling through pumpkin patches and apple orchards to going on a hayride, fall is the perfect time to give your loved ones an experience that fits with the season.
For those unable to leave their home, autumn can also be celebrated indoors — specifically, right in the kitchen! Recipes for maple-glazed acorn squash, apple pie, or any number of pumpkin-filled goodies are everywhere around this time of year.
So whether you’re baking them a sweet surprise or working with them side by side, they’re sure to appreciate the unexpected seasonal delights.
Give Them Peace of Mind
One gift that often flies under the radar is the gift of open conversation. Is your loved one satisfied with their current living situation? Do they feel they have a deserved level of independence? Asking the right questions about where they are in life and what they want is something that they might be keeping to themselves, and topics like a loss of independence can often be difficult to bring up on their own.
Dr. John Rolland, a professor of psychiatry at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, noted in an article by Judith Graham in the Washington Post that when asking patients to make a list of what they don’t talk about but would like to, there’s typically “about a 75 percent overlap, and it’s a tremendous relief to most people to find out they don’t have to keep things locked up inside.”
Asking if there’s any way to improve how they feel toward their health and safety or quality of life is the best way to remind them you care. Reflections Management and Care has options, such as Electronic Caregiver, to allow the freedom they want without sacrificing their safety. We also specialize in care management and relocation management to assure your loved ones are always comfortable and feeling right at home.
A Day with Their Favorites, from Movies to Music
Is your loved one obsessed with the world of cinema? Gather some of their favorite films from throughout the years, get comfortable, and share in the moments that made their life magical.
And if movies aren’t their go-to source of entertainment, the options are endless.
For music lovers, a collection of their favorite albums or an afternoon of karaoke will make for an ideal day.
If reading is more of their style, spend some time reading some paragraphs with them.
Going through sports memorabilia, reflecting on their favorite travel destinations, or even bringing some of their favorite foods are wonderful ways to tell them you care.
Participate in Their Favorite Physical Activity
Promote their healthy lifestyle by going on a walk, going to a dance class, participating in meditation, or potting some plants to thrive inside during the winter months. Find out what their favorite way to stay active is and surprise them with a fun day of movement and mindfulness.
Even if it’s just walking down the hall or helping them stretch, being with them by their side will remind them that you want them to continue living a happy and healthy life.
Celebrating National I Care About You Day With Your Loved One
With so many ways to tell your loved one you care about them, the most important thing is that it comes from the heart. Make it special, make it personal, and make it something that really captures your love for them. We never stop caring about those who mean the most, but it’s all too often we forget to say it.
From the Reflections Management and Care family to yours, have a wonderful I Care About You Day. Although the holiday has only been around for a few years, we know it celebrates the people that mean lifetimes to you.