Thanksgiving is always a time for family, friends, football and parades, and we at The Saybrook at Haddam happily celebrate all! We are already preparing for our annual Thanksgiving Day filled with all of the traditional favorites.  Our beautiful dining room is decorated elegantly and the kitchen team is working overtime to prepare everyone’s beloved dishes (and desserts).  We also will be celebrating with activities and entertainment, and by watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and plenty of football on television.

Some residents head out for their Thanksgiving meals with friends and family – carrying on their own traditions.  Some stay local and others travel to meet up with loved ones.  This change of pace to their daily routines and the change of scenery often adds to the excitement of the season. Our wellness team is happy to help residents prepare for travel if needed by organizing medicines or sending along any other health-related information. This helps ensure time away with family is stress-free and more enjoyable for all.

Regardless of how and where you are celebrating Thanksgiving, we would like to suggest a few fun ways to maximize time with elderly relatives.  We like to encourage as much interaction between generations as possible – and one of the best ways is simply through conversation.  Have younger children write down open-ended questions such as:

• “How did you celebrate Thanksgiving when you were growing up?”
• “What was school like when you were young?”
• “What was your favorite Thanksgiving Day food that you helped make when you were young?”

Have kids put their many questions into a basket or jar and pass around the table for everyone – including grandparents – to take a turn picking out a question and sharing an answer.  You could have someone video tape the conversation to add to your family history and archives (and perhaps to share on social media).

Other ways to share quality time with older family members include making a simple centerpiece for the dining room table, doing a puzzle together, or playing cards.  Everyone can participate in these types of activities – and enjoy the friendship and conversation that is sure to come about.

For residents who stay at The Saybrook at Haddam over the holidays, we offer plenty of entertainment and activities to set the tone for a wonderful holiday season.  We always open our community to friends, family and other visitors to share their time with us – and stay for a chef-prepared meal. We do have two private dining rooms for families to host small meals.  Simply talk with our kitchen staff to make reservations and arrangements. And, we have our Country Kitchen which is available any time of day to do some of your own baking.  The ideas are endless, so bring your best ones to us and let us help you make the holidays a wonderful time for the senior citizens in your life – and for all!

For a private tour of The Saybrook at Haddam or its Safe Harbor memory care neighborhood, please fill out the form below or contact David Downey at 860-345-3779.