Random Acts of Kindness to Brighten a Senior’s Day

February 17th, also known as Random Act of Kindness Day. Remember the last time someone did something thoughtful for you out of the blue? That warm and fuzzy feeling, the feeling of being cared about, is something seniors will ultimately enjoy. Take this day as a reminder of how using your time to do good for others, can spread so many smiles.

Keep reading for a helpful list of ideas that any senior will appreciate.

Create art or craft together

A great way to help a senior organize their old photos and have a beautiful way to look back upon fond memories, would be to help them put together a scrapbook. You’ll get the creative juices flowing, and result in a collection of timeless memories. They’ll easily be able to look back at moments in time they’ll never want to forget. 

For those with memory loss, it can also serve in preserving a loved one’s memories. When they need help remembering a time or place, a familiar face, or a specific occasion, you’ll be able to pull out this scrapbook and bring light to a memory that is forever encased with photos. Be sure to make sure they write a short description, the date, and names of anyone in the photo when piecing this together. Even better, have them write a short paragraph about why they like the specific photo so much!

Set up a bird feeder outside their window, and stop by often to refill

The sounds of nature are known to have mood-boosting abilities. With many colorful species native to Sierra Madre, you’ll find that the calls of the goldfinch or mockingbird can become a familiar ambiance. However, it may take a little convincing for birds to show up in newer areas, so bird seed is the place to start.

Setting up a bird feeder for someone and ensuring it’s always stocked will give a senior a chance to have nature greet them right outside their window. Another way to go about doing this is by combining the first suggestion in this article and crafting DIY hanging bird treats!

Give a dog a bone

At The Kensington Sierra Madre, we are pet-friendly! Many of our residents have furry friends and would appreciate having Fido receive a special treat. Even a fun toy or a new blanket for the pet and owner would be warmly appreciated. 

Go for a stroll

Fresh air does good for anyone. Spending it with good company makes it even more enjoyable! Take a senior for a walk around our beautiful gardens and engage with them in conversation. As you walk, ask them to tell their best stories, seek their advice, and take the time to truly listen. We love to create beautiful spaces and environments for our residents — and as studies show, there’s an enormous benefit beyond beauty: flowers and plants are one of the simplest ways to boost mental health.

Surprise them with a home cooked meal or baked good

There is truly nothing like family recipes, passed down from generations. Your grandmother may have been the original craftswoman at holiday gatherings, bringing together some of the best meals and desserts. As we age, cooking gets much harder, and senior living communities can offload the daily task for many. 

But by bringing them a pie that they were famous for, or a soup made from the soul, they’ll feel the love and appreciate it wholeheartedly. Food is tradition for some, and can help relieve some wonderful memories associated with it as well. 

If doing so for a senior you may not know the taste of, it never hurts to make a simple recipe that almost anyone would enjoy – chocolate chip cookies!

Make kindness an everyday habit

Although February 17th marks itself as Random Act of Kindness Day, that does not mean it should only be limited to that date. Kindness is a gift that can be given for free, in the little ways that we didn’t mention, such as holding the door open for someone, smiling and saying hello, and by just paying a senior loved one a visit. The best gift you can give is your time. 

At The Kensington, our time is dedicated to our promise to love and care for your family as we do our own. We offer expert care for those in need of memory care or assisted living, but couple it with compassion. If you’re interested in learning more about what makes us different, give us a call today.