Father’s Day is a day to acknowledge all the love and support your dad has offered you over the years – and ideally, a day to spend some quality time together. But for those of us with dads in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, it may seem difficult to make the most of the holiday. Luckily, there are ways to make the day special that can have a tremendous effect on dad’s well-being.
It’s pretty easy for nursing home residents to begin to feel depressed or isolated while living in a long-term care facility. Dealing with illness or injury, distance from family and loved ones or simply having to live in such a setting can be discouraging for many residents. That is why it is so important for loves ones to visit whenever possible. This Father’s Day, why not plan something special? Here are some ideas to get started!
Father’s Day Ideas for Nursing Home Residents
- Make a gift basket: You know what dad likes! Whether it’s cookies, crossword puzzles or a new movie, he’ll surely appreciate the gesture. Keep in mind there may be rules regarding what is and is not allowed to be brought into the facility, such as flowers, foods or certain electronics. It is always better to ask before your visit.
- Bring decorations: Nothing too permanent, but something lively to make the day feel extra special, such as balloons or art!
- Plan an outing: Depending on his health, you may be able to plan a small outing for Father’s Day, at the discretion of the nursing home staff. Lunch, a visit with friend and family, or just some time in the park would make for a great day. Just don’t plan too long of an outing and be mindful of meal times, medication schedules and any potential mobility issues.
- Visit via Skype: If you happen to live too far away to visit dad on Father’s Day, you can always have a visit via video chat. Just talk to the nursing home staff about helping dad set up a computer or tablet for a call.
Not only will a Father’s Day gesture make dad’s day a little brighter, it also gives you an opportunity to visit the facility and see how he’s being treated. Nursing home abuse and neglect can be easily detected simply by visiting and interacting with other residents and staff.
All of us at Hupy and Abraham hope that all the dads have a wonderful Father’s Day! If you have any questions about nursing home abuse or neglect, contact one of our nursing home attorneys today and we’ll be happy to help. Call Hupy and Abraham at 800-800-5678 or start a live chat 24/7 at Hupy.com.
