Senior care expert shares activity ideas for this Grandparents Day

To all grandparents, happy Grandparents Day! This year, the day of honor and celebration is Sunday, September 7th. Though this holiday only became nationally celebrated in 1973, grandparents around the world have been specially recognized for decades.

Marian McQuade, who served on the West Virginia Commission on Aging and the Nursing Home Licensing Board, lead the push for Grandparents Day to become a national holiday. She felt that the contributions of seniors deserved a day of special recognition, especially those in need of companionship.

There are numerous ways families and grandchildren can celebrate their elderly loved ones on Grandparents Days and throughout the year. However, for some the generational gap between grandparents and grandchildren can seem intimidating and make genuine interactions hard to come by, especially if mental or physical illness is a factor.

This Grandparents Day, it is a goal of Mila Verkhoglaz, senior care expert and co- owner of Executive Care, to help bridge the generational gap.

Here are four tips for interacting with grandparents this year.

1. Play games. Board games are a great way to have fun while exercising the mind. This is a pressure-free activity option.

2. Exercise together. Walking around the block with grandparents will provide a good dose of physical activity, while creating an opportunity for bonding and conversation building.

3. Share family history. Go through old photo books. Let grandparents share their pastimes with grandchildren. Grandparents have many family stories that, when shared, shine light on family tradition, ancestors and significant experiences.

4. Cook a meal or family favorite dish together. This is an easy way to share family tradition and interests.