Spending time with family and friends is always a reason to celebrate. When you add tradition and turkey, the celebration becomes a truly special event. For seniors, the holidays are especially important as they are an opportunity to get together and engage with family members they might not see regularly. Staying connected to the ones you love is vital to overall health and happiness, regardless of age. Take the opportunity this Thanksgiving to make memories and connections to remember.

Tips to Make Thanksgiving Special

Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and pumpkin pie. It is a time to be grateful for the opportunity to share time with the most important people in your life. It can be difficult to squeeze enough time out of a single Thursday, and you want to make the most of that special day. Here are some tips to make your Thanksgiving special:

• Write a note – If you are worried you won’t have time to spend with everyone you care about this holiday, write out notes, send a card, or write letters expresses your gratitude.
• Plan for a picture – Have a group photo planned and encourage everyone to share pictures of family who cannot attend. Share the photos as part of a family tradition.
• Disconnect from media – Unless football is a must-see, try to avoid having the TV playing in the background. Create a home environment where loved ones can interact without the distractions of modern technology.
• Embrace traditions – Whether it’s a specific dish, watching the football game, the yearly monopoly tournament or other family tradition, embrace the fun activities that make the day special and make everyone feel “young at heart.”
• Include those who can’t make it – Sometimes illness, mobility, or distance can keep members of your family unable to attend a Thanksgiving dinner. Recording a message or having a group call can help bring those who can’t be with you closer.
• Listen more – It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of a holiday event, take some time to really listen and engage with loved ones.
• Go for a walk – Autumn is a beautiful time of year, enjoy the out-of-doors with those you love. Walking off the pie is an added benefit!
• Share stories – The elders of the family have a lot of wisdom and family stories to share. These memories help to bring you closer together and impart a sense of family history to the younger generation.

Giving Thanks and Planning for the Future

As our loved ones age, we can see health, vitality, and mobility become a challenge. Take the time to consider how you can help smooth the bumps in the road in the future. As these changes occur, a medical alert device can be an important way to protect health and safety. The appropriate medical alert device varies, based upon the needs of the individual. Many new features are now available, and these systems can help with issues such as medication reminders, health check-ins, or other needs. What is right for your family member? Ease the burden of worrying about your loved one by choosing one of the many options in medical alert devices now available to consumers.

Medical alert devices add a sense of security and support to seniors, who are far more likely to suffer a medical issue. Small and portable, these medical alert devices have advanced features that bring a higher level of safety. GPS tracking means your location can be identified and emergency personnel dispatched without delay. With 24-hour support, you are protected around the clock. Look over our reviews page to find the medical alert device that best suits you or your loved one.