Valentine’s Day is all about love – but that doesn’t mean it’s only for couples. Around here, we believe Valentine’s Day is for everyone.
If you need Valentine’s Day ideas for your care home, look no further. Activities focusing on self-care and friendship work beautifully in residential settings, and we’ve listed 10 below. Warm fuzzies, everyone.
1. Say it with flowers
Flowers make any room more cheerful, so why not give your residents a lift with colourful bouquets, houseplants or silk blossoms this year? To make things even more special, consider favourite flowers or colours when creating arrangements.
2. Write kind messages
Kind messages can make life much brighter for everyone. Encourage residents and staff to write their favourite things about each other on heart-shaped pieces of coloured paper; then, play postman and deliver them on Valentine’s Day.
3. Pamper your residents
A little self-care goes a long way. Manicures, pedicures, massages and other pampering activities can be very relaxing and make residents feel special. If you have the time, turn one of your common rooms into a Valentine’s Day spa, with a different treatment in every corner.
4. Play Cupid bingo
Who doesn’t enjoy bingo? Break out the heart-shaped dabbers and festive bingo cards: first person to shout “Cupid!” gets a big box of chocolates. Click here to see a range of cute Valentine’s Day-themed printable bingo cards.
5. Have a sing-along
Singing can boost overall wellbeing – plus, it’s fun and sociable. So, how about a Valentine’s Day sing-along for the seniors in your care home? Ask your residents what their favourite tunes are, print out a few lyrics and lose yourself in the melody.
6. Decorate your care home
Add Valentine’s Day flair to your care home with paper flowers, fabric garlands and other pink, red and white decorations. If some of your residents are crafty, ask them to join in – the more, the merrier.
7. Plan festive crafts
Valentine’s Day crafts can be engaging, enjoyable and inclusive. Here are five of our favourites:
- Crepe paper flowers: create roses, peonies, lilies and other blooms for beautiful bouquets that never fade.
- Heart-shaped bird feeders: all you need is seed mix, flour, gelatin, syrup and a little water.
- Pop-up cards: these are fun to make and even more entertaining to share.
- Valentine’s bookmarks: thumbprints make these bookmarks extra special.
- Painted rocks: love rocks – and so do these pebbles.
8. Bake sweet treats
Love is undeniably sweet, and so are cookies, cakes and other baked delights. If your residents enjoy baking, organise a treat-making or cookie-decorating session. Writing icing, sprinkles and wafer flowers are easy to apply and make cupcakes look extra fancy.
9. Host an old-fashioned afternoon tea
Why not invite loved ones and residents to a Valentine’s Day afternoon tea? Sandwiches, scones and plenty of Earl Grey add up to a fun, friendly event for everyone. Give your party a vintage touch with china cups and saucers, cake plates, lace doilies and silver spoons.
10. Settle in for movie night
There’s nothing like a romantic black-and-white movie to round off the day, so why not put on an old-time classic or two? First, poll residents to see which movies they want to watch, then rustle up some popcorn and reminisce.
Happy Valentine’s Day, from everyone at Florence 💜
Florence can help you schedule existing staff, find flexible nurses and carers to fill gaps in your rota, and provide essential training. Find out more and get started today.
You might also be interested in:
- Ho, ho, ho! Our top six favourite Christmas activities for care homes
- 4 spooky Halloween activities for your care home
- Florence becomes founding partner of Championing Social Care
