Posted by:  the Elder Law Department

As you gather with your senior loved ones, Thanksgiving provides the ideal setting for saying thank you and sharing experiences. To help you express your love and thanks this week, here are a few ideas of what you can do for the seniors in your life:

  1. Listen to them. Seniors have an abundance of wisdom to share and stories to tell. Take a moment to sit down with them and start a conversation. What do they remember about family Thanksgivings when they were younger?
  2. Give them a note or letter. Though written letters are a fading art form, take the time to write a simple thank you note or sincere letter.
  3. Tell them. Your expression of gratitude doesn’t need to be elaborate in order to be meaningful. Simply telling loved ones that you’re grateful for them is often enough for them to feel loved and appreciated.
  4. Serve them. If you’re already at your grandparents’ house, look around for ways to help them out. Rake their leaves or wash the dishes, any small act of service will do.
  5. Take a picture. For many families, getting everyone together is rare and special. Document the moment with a picture and send it to your loved one.
  6. Call them. Especially if you can’t be with them in person, calling or Skyping family and friends can help them to feel loved even though you’re far away.
  7. Make them something they like. Whether it’s a pie, a card, or a poem, use your talents to make them something they enjoy.
  8. Make a video. Making a short video on your phone is a simple way to say thanks. You can record yourself or get the entire family involved with each person taking a few moments to express love and gratitude.
  9. Give them your undivided attention. It’s rare in our technology-dominated world to see people without a phone in hand. Giving loved ones your uninterrupted attention is a simple way to show them they’re important to you.

Our firm is dedicated to helping our clients and their loved ones work through issues and implement sound legal planning to address them. If we can help in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at (630) 221-1755.