Any ideas please for

[brenda]

a Valentine's party in a residential care home? Residents are up to the age of 96, some mobile, others not.All ideas welcome -- many thanks.

[joko]

dress up as cilla and do blind date

[B00]

God, are you sure they'll want a Valentine's Party?

I can't imagine how undignified it'll be for older people to pretend to simper and pretend to be love struck teens for the day.

[ethandron]

for a lot of oldies it's just a reason to do something different, no harm in that and not really undignified, no better or worse than celebrating one of the residents birthdays - cake, cards, music, visitors.
brenda, maybe they could get involved in making some sort of hat/eye mask to wear on the day to become 'unrecognisable'?? also, to help making cakes or biscuits and decorating them?

[B00]

lol, sorry then.

Hope I haven't offended.

It must be just a me thing then, as even at my age now (40) i'd be bloody mortified if i was faced with a "do" like that.

[sara3]

surely it'll be much the same as any other party you do, but with pink cut out hearts on the wall?

[Robinia]

A game of Name That Romantic Tune.. ♫ ♪
:o)

[ethandron]

i know BOO, but what you have to remember is that all those lovely old folk in care homes just relish something a bit different, something which might stimulate them in some way and make them remember how it used to be....

[sara3]

I guess if the residents aren't obliged to join in, there's no harm.

[Twirls]

When my grandparents were still around they liked nothing better than listening to young people singing. Is there a local youth music group that could be persuaded to sing some of the old songs (40s/ 50s) that the residents could either join in with or just enjoy listening to? If any of the are fit enough they might even enjoy the odd dance or two

[society]

Older folks enjoying the very old music, music from their times.

Have them dress up, and play old music and serve snacks and goodies they enjoy eating.

Or they could have a Karaoke afternoon singing their favourite songs.

[anneasquith]

give the ladies a red rose.........no matter what age you are they will love it..... not sure about the gents though, maybe a wee minature of alcohol, live music, maybe an organist, playing old music, print off pictures of handsome and beautiful film stars. and pass them around. use lots of red food colouring in home baking !

[Twirls]

Brenda - please let us know what you decide to do in the end.

[joko]

would perhaps just remind some of them that they are now alone...having lost their valentines...and make them a bit sad?

maybe just have bit of a do

[Veebird]

What about reminding them of their youth with photos of when they were in their prime? You could have them pinned up on a board or in a photo album to be passed round. You could have a guess who's who, naming game with flowers for the winner.

[DaisyNonna]

Cake, balloons and singing. Local choir encouraging them to join in, music from 30s onwards. Perhaps a few film clips if not too expensive. Photographs of film stars through time. A quiz for those who can remember. A flower for all, regardless of sex. Give each resident a card of celebration. A Valentine cocktail. Need not be alcoholic.

Ask them what they would like!

Get a school to provide pupils to dress up in fashions through the decades.
Ask if they have photos of people they have loved (friends, family, secrets) and if they would like to share them.

Perhaps they have stories of loved ones they would like to share or record. Record them for them. In privacy if that is what they want.

Decorate the room used with happiness. Bubbles, rainbows, sunrise, sunset. Babies, kittens, puppies and of course hearts and flowers. Make sure that the room smells sweet and fresh.

Sorry, got a bit carried away

[peterdeanmagic]

pass the parcel
everytime the parcel stops the winner has too tell something romantic that happened during their life
it doesnt have to happened to them or (to save Embarrassment)a story they have heard
to help have some envelopes with some nice little ..Love is... sayings, if they cant seem to remember anything
it will be lovely
dont forget the tissues

[anneasquith]

peter, a lovely suggestion. :)

[welshlibranr]

Peter's pass the parcel idea is really great, and they love to sing along to the music they know, I've found that even the ones who have dementia remember the songs and enjoy singing them, and plenty of nice food!.......they'll have a really good time!........

[AlBags]

How about an Anne Summers?