Making Thanksgiving 2020 Memorable for Residents and Staff

Published 11/10/2020

2020 has been a challenging year for residents of long-term care facilities and assisted living centers. As the pandemic drags on, the isolation and loneliness resulting from ongoing visitor restrictions have likely taken a toll on both their mental and physical condition. Many folks looked forward to the holidays, hopeful that the worst of the virus outbreak would be behind us. Instead, many states face an increase in cases, and visiting restrictions that may have been eased are reinstated.

This challenging year calls for some above-and-beyond measures to brighten this season for the residents and the staff for whom these trying situations have also stretched long. So, why not go all out on the decorating front in your building for starters because who doesn’t love the bright oranges, golds, and reds of fall? Bring the beauty of autumn indoors and splash it throughout the facility. For an activity, assist residents in creating Thanksgiving decorations such as centerpieces and table favors to be used throughout the entire month of November.

While many facilities host a special meal with all the trimmings for residents and staff on Thanksgiving Day, this is the year to make a big splash. Ask the residents and staff to share their special family recipes and incorporate as many as possible into the menu.

Plan a post-meal activity: watching a football game or a sing-along. Host a Thanksgiving edition of Bingo, distribute a turkey-day word search or crossword puzzle with prizes for all who score well. “Pin the gobbler on the turkey” can entertain residents and with a little resourcefulness, these activities can be carried out in a safe, social distancing manner. Involve the staff in brainstorming ways to brighten Thanksgiving for all involved.

While we ooh and ahh over the beauty of fall foliage surrounding the holiday, for most of us, the focus of Thanksgiving is on family, food, and gratitude. Thanks to the pandemic, these dear-to-our-hearts traditions will take creativity and ingenuity to fulfill this year.

Sherry Thomas, BS, RN, QCP, IPCO, Director of Clinical Services for LeaderStat, offers additional suggestions for how families can plan and execute a virtual Thanksgiving Day celebration with their loved one who may be in a skilled nursing or assisted living center.

• Get everyone involved in the planning stages of a grand virtual Thanksgiving Day. While the family may be celebrating in different locations, the fun of planning together will keep some of the familiar traditions alive. Host a “planning session” video call to put the Thanksgiving menu together. Involve the grandchildren in creating menus and invitations.

• Continue the gratitude traditions from previous years or begin a new one. During the planning session, encourage folks to initiate a “gratitude bowl” or a “gratitude journal” where tidbits can be collected throughout the month and shared during the virtual Thanksgiving celebration. Have a favorite memory form a past holiday? Add it to the gratitude bowl!

If you are a caregiver and working on Thanksgiving Day, plan a virtual potluck on the Sunday after Thanksgiving (or whatever day works best) where everyone “brings” their favorite or specialty dish.

Enjoying each other’s company shouldn’t be limited to major calendar holidays. The same sentiment applies to gratitude. Let’s make an effort to demonstrate thankfulness 365 days a year for the trust residents place in our services as well as for the dedicated, hard-working staff members who give 110% to care for them.

We will weather the challenges of this Thanksgiving season together, as we support and encourage one another.

*This content is based on information available as of 11/10/20.