Superbowl Sunday is upon us. A perennial favorite among the young and old alike, game day offers a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your senior loved one. Although some adjustments might be necessary, it can be a great memory maker and keep them engaged.Here are some ways to make game day interesting, fun and another great memory maker:
Get nostalgic. Not only can game day be fun and relaxing, but it can also be a good time for being nostalgic, sharing stories of memorable past games. It could be that your loved one was old enough to see the first Superbowl ever played in 1966. Ask your elder to share what he remembers of that year and game or ask your loved one about some of the best Superbowl years in his experience. The “where were you when” is a great memory exercise that can also conjure nostalgic emotions.
Offer healthy snacks. This part may be where adjustments are necessary to best suit your senior guest. Sure, everyone loves the mainstay munchies like nachos and wings, but older people might desire some lighter, healthier fare. They might also have some food restrictions if they have any medical conditions that warrant avoidance. Spend pre-game time making fruit and veggie dishes together or some low sugar or sugar free dessert choices. Hummus dip, tasty protein smoothies and tuna salad bites are some great options too. Get creative and design some new healthy recipes together and then get guests to rate them for a fun twist on the party food fare.
Make commercial time about the commercials. Looking forward to the commercials during the Superbowl seems to have become as big a pastime as the game itself! Have a conversation (or even a debate) about present and past year game ads. Make a contest out of guessing which ones will be ‘game day winners’ in the news the next morning.
Make friendly bets. A game day bet is another great way to make the day more engaging for your loved one. Instead of a monetary payout, make the prize something more special: maybe cooking his favorite meal, a picnic on a nice day or even a movie night. These winnings ensure you continue the quality time together and are more interesting for your loved one.
No matter who wins the game or the ad race, Superbowl Sunday is a great chance to make a memory with your loved one while keeping them engaged in something they love.