Mother's Day Activities for Seniors in Edwardsville, Illinois
Mother's Day is second only to Christmas as the most popular holiday to give gifts, according to Twinkl.
Mother's Day in Edwardsville, IL, is a heartfelt opportunity to celebrate and honor the women who've filled our lives with warmth and wisdom.
Are you wondering what you can do? Read on to learn about some of the best Mother's Day activities.
There's Nothing Quite Like Memory Garden Strolls and Flower Planting
Spring is in full bloom in Edwardsville by the time Mother's Day rolls around, making it the perfect time for a relaxing stroll through a local garden or park. Consider visiting the Watershed Nature Center, which features accessible walking paths and a variety of native plants.
To make it more personal, bring along a potted flower or herb to plant together, either at home or within a community garden. For seniors in memory care, the sensory experience of smelling herbs like lavender or basil and feeling the soil on their hands can be grounding and joyful.
Customized Story Time With the Grandkids
One touching way of honoring moms is by revisiting and retelling their own stories. Invite grandchildren to write short stories or draw illustrations based on memories or stories Mom has shared in the past. Then, host a special "story time" event where the kids read their stories aloud.
If your mom is in the Addington Place of Edwardsville community, staff members can help facilitate a cozy, intimate storytelling session with soft music and tea. Doing this not only helps bridge generational gaps but also reinforces memory through emotional storytelling.
Lovely Music and Memory Sessions
Do you need more senior-friendly ideas?
Music has a unique way of unlocking emotions and long-lost memories, especially for seniors in memory care. Put together a personal playlist of your mom's favorite songs from her youth. It could include some of the following:
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Elvis
- Old-time gospel
Families can turn this into a sing-along or even a gentle dance hour. If your mom is part of the Addington Place of Edwardsville community, check to see if the team can help organize a mini concert or invite a local musician for a live acoustic set.
Take on an Edwardsville-Themed Photo Collage Craft
For a more hands-on activity, try creating an Edwardsville-themed photo collage. Print pictures of local landmarks your mom might remember from earlier years, such as:
- Leclaire Park
- Main Street shops
- Old family homes
Combine these with family photos and captions.
A project like this is especially meaningful for memory care celebrations because it reinforces familiarity and promotes storytelling. You can create the collage on a poster board or go digital with an online slideshow that the whole family can watch together.
Evaporate Her Stress With a Hand Massage and Spa Hour
Sometimes, the most appreciated gifts are those of comfort and calm. Set up a relaxing spa hour with your mom. Give her a gentle hand massage using lavender or chamomile lotion.
Touch is incredibly therapeutic for seniors, especially for those with cognitive decline. Addington Place of Edwardsville is well-equipped to provide a peaceful environment for a soothing experience that helps your mom feel pampered and valued.
Dive Into Legacy Letter Writing
Invite your mom to share life advice, values, or wishes for her grandchildren in the form of a legacy letter. If she prefers, you can write the letter for her as she dictates or turn it into a video recording. Such reflections become treasures for future generations.
To make this a meaningful Mother's Day in Edwardsville, IL, gather the family in person or over video call to share the letter and express gratitude. It's a beautiful way of honoring moms while engaging in purposeful family time.
Enjoy Sips During a Mother's Day Tea Social
Host a gentle afternoon tea in a quiet setting, either in the community or at home. Set out herbal teas, soft pastries, and finger sandwiches on vintage-style plates. Decorate with the following:
- Pastel tablecloths
- Floral napkins
- Handwritten name cards
Addington Place of Edwardsville can support a charming tea event, complete with background music and a warm atmosphere.
Focus on Intergenerational Puzzle Time
For a calm and collaborative activity, break out a large puzzle and gather family members around the table to work together. Choose a puzzle with a scenic or nostalgic image, perhaps of a famous Edwardsville landmark or floral garden.
Puzzles are great for hand-eye coordination, memory stimulation, and fostering togetherness. Keep the mood light and the pace slow.
Take Advantage of Virtual Visits for Far-Away Family
Not everyone can make it to Edwardsville in person, but that doesn't mean they can't be part of the celebration. Schedule a virtual gathering via Zoom or FaceTime where family members share poems and songs or simply reminisce with Mom.
For seniors in memory care, video calls can feel more engaging when someone nearby helps. Addington Place of Edwardsville offers staff support to ensure the virtual time is as seamless and meaningful as possible.
Create a "Then and Now" Time Capsule for the Bright Future
Here's a creative idea that brings the past and present together. Fill a small box or decorative container with mementos from your mom's past, such as photos, old letters, or recipes. Don't forget about items from today, like family selfies, drawings from grandkids, or a favorite snack.
You can open it together on Mother's Day and then store it safely to revisit in future years. It becomes a tangible bridge across generations and is a lovely activity for those receiving memory care services.
Mother's Day Activities Can Light Up Your Mother's Life
With one or two Mother's Day activities, you can have the special time together that your mom deserves.
She can have even more great times when she's in the safe and sound community of Addington Place in Edwardsville. Our care options are backed by a full support system. All residents love looking forward to the week's activities, including gentle exercise, puzzles, bingo, and more.
You can get the most out of your golden years by making a tour appointment to see Addington Place of Edwardsville today.