Valentine’s Day for Caregivers: Ways to Celebrate

An older adult couple celebrating Valentine's Day.

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to appreciate and share time with friends and family. If you’re a caregiver looking for ideas to enjoy a fun and memorable Valentine’s Day with your loved ones, read on for six great Valentine’s Day activities.

1) Host a Small Gathering

A small party or gathering could be a great way to bring all of your loved ones together to commemorate the holiday. Invite your friends or family, and celebrate with a movie, brunch, or your favorite group activity.

2) Go out with your loved one

For a more low-key and intimate Valentine’s Day, consider taking your loved one out to your favorite restaurant. With just the two of you, you can better take a pause to reflect on the love that drives you to be a caregiver every day.

3) Take a self-care day

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to reflect inwards and appreciate the hard work you do as a caregiver. If you’ve been feeling stressed recently, consider taking a self-care day to enjoy what makes you relaxed. Some examples of this could be sleeping in, going for a long walk, or booking a spa trip.

4) Enjoy some arts and crafts

Some Valentine’s arts and crafts with your loved one could be a wonderful way to spend the holiday. Consider a peaceful afternoon making some colorful paper festoons to decorate your house, baking and decorating some cookies, or enjoy some relaxing origami together.

5) Send Valentine grams

Let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them this Valentine’s Day by sending a Valentine gram. Whether a quick text message, card, or quick visit, letting your friends and family know you love and appreciate them can be a deeply touching gesture.

6) Discover local Boston Valentine’s Day activities

Looking for a unique and memorable Valentine’s Day? There are plenty of fun activities around Boston in celebration of the day of love.

Here’s a small list of activities happening around the city:

Tuesday, February 11th: Amore Concert – Love Songs Through the Ages at the North End Music & Performing Arts Center
Friday, February 14th: Paint & Sip: Paint Your Partner! at the Boston Public Market
Saturday, February 15th: Cupid & Comedy at the Marriott Quincy

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to reflect inwards and love and appreciate the hard work you do as a caregiver. Whether you choose to spend the day peacefully recovering or cheerfully celebrating with loved ones, we wish you a happy and heartful Valentine’s Day!

Black family gathered around a grandmother reading to them.

Black older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers face unique challenges in finding high-quality, culturally-competent supports. In honor of Black History Month, we explore resources to help Black families age in place and celebrate their heritage.

Resources for Black Caregivers and Older Adults

Did you know that…

More than one in five Black caregivers pay for care-related expenses,
One in three African American and Black caregivers report being more isolated and strained due to caregiving,
And that one in four Black caregivers report that they have no family, friends, or family to help them with caregiving duties?

Together, these paint a distressing picture of how urgently Black and African American caregivers need support. From navigating the healthcare industry to finding qualified and culturally-competent services, Black caregivers face unique challenges that can worsen over time.

Thankfully, there are plenty of resources available to help African American and Black caregivers. Let’s explore some programs and organizations that could provide much-needed support:

1) Caregiving While Black (CWB) Course

Co-produced by Black caregivers, persons living with dementia, and healthcare professionals from Emory University, CWB is an online education course tailored for Black and African American caregivers of a person living with dementia.

The CWB course addresses the disparities that Black and African American families face when accessing healthcare and caregiving resources. The course is built around finding solutions and answers to three main themes:

To learn more and sign up for the CWB course, visit their website here.

2) Programs by the Roxbury Presbyterian Church

For Boston locals, the events and opportunities from the Roxbury Presbyterian Church can help you work through difficult topics.

Some of these programs include:

Men’s trauma recovery
Racism and healing
Community trauma healing
Loss, grief, and hope through words, poetry, and song
A support group for mothers who lost children

For Black and African American Roxbury residents, these programs are a unique opportunity to connect with others who have experienced challenges in life.

The mission of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church is to create and implement educational and economic development programs for the Roxbury community. Programs are secular and open to all regardless of religious affiliation.

For a full list of programming, please visit the RPC’s website here.

3) Caregiver Solutions Program

According to Generations, Black caregivers felt that their race and ethnicity contributed to limited access to education and resources for healthcare and caregivers support.

That’s why Boston Senior Home Care’s Caregiver Solutions program is here to provide equitable and individualized resources for Black caregivers. Our skilled caregiver advisors are here to listen to your personal story and connect you to trustworthy supports for your needs.

The Caregiver Solutions Program can provide referrals and access to:

Financial assistance
Adult Day Health programs
Mental health counseling services
Guardianship and estate planning specialists
In-home care services
Support groups
Technology and security monitoring services

Through on-demand language line technology, our information and referral specialists can assist caregivers and families speaking languages such as Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and more. To connect with an expert and learn about culturally-aware caregiver resources, call us at 617-292-6211.

4) The National Caucus and Center on Black Aging (NCBA)

If you’re looking for resources for Black older adults outside of Massachusetts, the NCBA is a go-to point of contact. The NCBA is the leading national organization on issues impacting African American and low-income minority older adults.

The NCBA provides culturally-aware programs and services to help Black older adults gain employment, access healthcare services, and find affordable housing. To view a full list of their resources and programs, visit their website here.

5) Caribbean Foundation of Boston

For Bostonians of Afro-Caribbean heritage, the Caribbean Foundation of Boston provides culturally-aware services to the older adults and physically challenged people of Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury.

The Caribbean Foundation of Boston provides the following services:

Home health aides
Friendly visitor program
Urban community homemaking

The goal of the Caribbean Foundation of Boston is to promote a lifestyle of independence and supportive care so that people can remain at home. To learn more, please contact the Caribbean Foundation of Boston at 617-445-1228.

Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in Boston

Beyond support for everyday caregiving and aging needs, let’s explore exciting ways you and your loved ones can celebrate Black History Month in Boston this year.

1) Black Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

On February 22nd, the City of Boston is hosting a free luncheon to honor the contributions and sacrifices of Black Veterans. The event will be held at Boston City Hall from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM. To learn more and RSVP, contact the City of Boston Veterans Services Department at [email protected], or call 617-241-8387.

2) Museum of African American History

As the birthplace of Boston’s Abolitionist Movement, the Museum of African American History has several exciting exhibits and activities planned throughout February. Visit their website to view upcoming events featuring the legacies of heroes such as Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, and William Cooper Nell.

3) Age Strong’s Black Heritage Celebration

The Boston Age Strong Commission is hosting their annual Black Heritage Celebration on Friday, February 28th. This luncheon event is a wonderful way to gather and celebrate Black community leaders.

To RSVP or learn more, please contact Nuria Silva at 617-635-3979 or email [email protected]. Transportation may be arranged for parties of more than 10 people.

Boston Senior Home Care and the Caregiver Solutions program remain dedicated to supporting caregivers, older adults, and people with disabilities of all races and ethnic backgrounds. We’re here to be a resource for African American families to help them age with health and pride.

To speak with a qualified information and referral specialist about finding culturally-aware support for you and your loved one, contact us at 617-292-6211.

A Tribute to Older Workers

March has no shortage of holidays and observances, from the well-known Saint Patrick’s Day to the recognition of Social Work Month. However, one observance that is gaining significance is National Older Workers Week, which is celebrated annually during the second week of March.

While the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 provides legal protection against discrimination for workers aged 40 and above, older workers continue to face challenges due to prevailing perceptions about age affecting performance, productivity, and skills. National Older Workers Week is designed to showcase the valuable contributions that older adults bring to the workforce.

Today, reaching the age of 65 no longer signifies retirement for many people. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more people over age 65 are staying in the workforce longer than ever before. But, what motivates them to do so?

According to older workers themselves, the reasons are diverse. Many say that they enjoy their work, want to continue to learn new things and value social engagement. For them, work is not merely a means of financial support but a source of enrichment and fulfillment.

Employers also see the importance of hiring and retaining older workers because they promote an inclusive work culture that brings together a range of ideas and perspectives. Research shows that age diversity improves productivity and morale, sparks innovation, and helps reduce turnover.

At Boston Senior Home Care, we recognize and value the contributions of all employees, regardless of age. Our workforce comprises individuals from diverse age groups, cultural backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities, representing the communities we serve. In fact, employees over the age of 50 represent approximately one-third of our total staff.

We celebrate and embrace the unique attributes of all our employees for a workforce that is equitable, inclusive, and respectful. Working together in this rich environment helps us understand the needs of those we serve and is an incredibly powerful way to build trust in the community. If you are interested in learning more about job opportunities at Boston Senior Home Care, visit our website HERE.

As we commemorate National Older Workers Week, let us reaffirm our appreciation for the invaluable contributions of older workers and strive towards creating workplaces that embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As we enter the final months of the year, the upcoming holiday season brings about a sense of gratitude and reflection. It’s a time to forge lasting memories, cherish moments spent with others, and celebrate longstanding traditions. In this blog post, we explore ways to spend quality time with loved ones during the holidays.

Here are five simple strategies to create sincere and heartfelt holiday memories with family and friends:

Set the mood
Play your favorite holiday tunes. Sharing music with others can spark happy memories and help relieve stress. There’s nothing like a classic holiday tune coming on to lift your spirits.
Decorate together
Decorating is an excellent opportunity to spend quality time with others. If the person you’re caring for has treasured holiday decorations, be sure to use them. Discuss each piece as you take it out of storage and ask where they prefer certain decorations to be placed. Prioritize their favorite items by putting them where they can be seen and appreciated the most. Just be sure to decorate in a way that doesn’t pose any potential safety hazards.
Prioritize holiday favorites
Ask what traditions or treats they look forward to the most each holiday season and focus on making those things happen to the best of your ability. Sharing special moments can bring a sense of contentment and cheerfulness into your life and can be a source of comfort.
Reminisce
Encourage your loved one to tell stories of the past. Sharing memories with others can provide an opportunity for laughter and a feeling of being connected. Another great way to reminisce is to go through photo albums and talk about the years gone by.
Simplify holiday meals
Reducing your workload on the day of holiday events can help you and your loved ones appreciate these gatherings more. Instead of making a large meal from scratch, focus on preparing only a few favorite recipes and using premade dishes to round out the meal. It can also help to split up the grocery shopping and cooking among other family members and guests.

By embracing the holiday season, and spending quality time with loved ones, you can start the new year with a renewed sense of joy and purpose. Remember, Boston Senior Home Care’s Caregiver Solutions program is available to support you every step of the way. For more information and to enroll in the program, click HERE.

Spending Time with Loved Ones

Holiday gatherings are cherished traditions for many families. It’s a time when we get to eat delicious food and enjoy being together. The holidays also allow us to spend time with older loved ones and note any changes in their health, or home environment. During your visit, you may see subtle or substantial signs that an older adult in your life needs help to safely age in place. It’s important to be proactive and keep your eyes and ears open.

A multigenerational family eats together at a dinner table. Older adults enjoying time with a younger child at the dinner table. It is important to watch older adults throughout your holiday visits.

Ten tips for observing older adults during your visit:

1. Do a home safety inspection. Make sure to test smoke alarms and check the house for loose wiring and improper lighting. Pay close attention while inspecting stairways and walkways.

2. Take a look around the kitchen. Place dishes and pans on convenient, easy-to-reach shelves.

3. Assess the house for excess clutter, dust, or other signs that assistance with housecleaning is needed.

4. Check the refrigerator and pantry to ensure there’s enough food and other supplies. Ensure there are enough supplies for beyond the holidays.

5. Install grab bars in the bathroom.

6. Check for scatter rugs and uneven flooring that could cause a fall. Falls are one of the most dangerous problems for older adults.

7. Research local resources for older adults. Things like grocery delivery and transportation services can help keep them safe.

8. Know where important papers, such as insurance cards and advance directives are located.

9. Get an updated medication list from their doctor or pharmacy. Check medicine cabinets for expired medications.

10. Identify one or two neighbors who would be willing to drop in occasionally. Exchange phone numbers and e-mail addresses and encourage them to contact you if they have concerns.

If you think an older adult in your life needs assistance, such as personal care, medication reminders, or light housekeeping, Boston Senior Home Care can help. Our highly-trained staff will work with you to ensure that your loved ones remain safe and independent at home.

For more information, call us at 617-292-6211 or email us at [email protected].

Valentine’s Day for Caregivers: Ways to Celebrate