Love Knows No Boundaries

...Creatively Nurturing Relationships With Older Adults

Last Valentine's Day, I could be found savoring a juicy cheeseburger and fries at a trendy burger eatery. My date for this special occasion chose the venue and I drove.

As we lingered over our burgers and cokes, we resembled many other couples on this day of hearts...her eyes were misty, she wore a smile from ear to ear, and she was obviously thrilled to be treated to an evening "out". What distinguished us from the other couples, however, was the fact she was an older lady friend and 40 years my senior. We weren't there just for the food. The meal was a façade. The evening was all about reminiscing, or more precisely, about Sylvia and her late husband, Isadore. You see, this was Sylvia's first Valentine's Day without her beloved husband of forty-plus years. With a heart chockfull of memories, Sylvia longed to recall the years she spent with her sweetheart. All she needed was an ear to bend. In turn, I became richer for listening.

Love, affection and time are precious commodities. Imagine how wonderful it would be if we could share these more plentifully with the older adults in our midst, and in turn boost their emotional health! A great deal of research substantiates the correlation between life satisfaction and significant relationships. Not surprisingly, affection, human touch, and friendships play an important role in augmenting the quality of life during the aging process. As we embark on a month traditionally labeled for love, why not choose an older family member, friend, or neighbor to pamper and spoil? Here are six tips for creating memorable moments neither of you will soon forget!

Design a Personalized Word Search Puzzle

Using words which have personal meaning for you and/or the recipient, create amemorable word search for your favorite Valentine! These are not only fun, butare terrific for enhancing mental fitness. For a free formatted template, go to www.genuineclass.com/games (Click on "Create Your Own Word Search")Embellished with foil hearts, these puzzles are snazzy tucked into a valentine with a colorful gel pen!

Plan a Trip Down Memory Lane

Keeping in mind your special someone's roots, travels, or fantasy destinations, assemble maps, tour books, newspapers, magazines, or other memorabilia which would enable an older adult to "visit" those places near and dear to them without ever leaving home. Mark significant locations on the maps by using sticker hearts. You can add to the ambiance by presenting these treasures in a miniature trunk or suitcase! Members of AAA Auto Club can visit www.aaa.com to receive information on receiving maps and tour books free of charge.

Move Over Chocolate Hearts ...How About Some Penny Candies?

Rootbeer Barrels. Mary Janes. Razzles. Chances are older adults will remember these retro candies, as well as their favorites! Nothing could be sweeter than recalling those glass jars of penny candy lined up for sampling at the neighborhood grocer's counter. Youngsters would reach for those pint-size brown bags and delight in filling them with sweet confections. Visit a real online old-fashioned candy store at www.nostalgiccandy.com and order your Valentine his favorite treat! Shipping is speedy and the candy arrives in mint condition.

Special Delivery: " Tokens of the Heart"

Distance doesn't have to be a barrier in sharing a special relationship with an older adult! In fact, most older adults have learned to rely upon the delivery of postal mail, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their mail carrier each day. When miles separate you from your loved one, consider gathering several small tokens of your affection and wrapping them individually in red or pink paper. Label them with dates to be opened in a 'countdown' fashion, culminating with a special surprise on Valentine's Day! You may find it helpful to write a simple note to be tucked inside the box explaining your intentions. No one can resist the anticipation and excitement generated by receiving a week (or more!) of surprises. Treasures may include: photos of family members displayed in tiny frames, handmade Valentines crafted by little ones, a love note detailing a special memory you hold of the recipient, small jars of chocolate kisses, or a tin of homemade cookies. Be sure to pack all your treasures in a sturdy Priority Mail box (provided free by the USPS), stuff with mounds of pink tissue paper, and sprinkle generously with heart confetti!

Pen Your Love Note...Then Tuck It Into A Giant Fortune Cookie

If you want to express your affection in a novel way, personally deliver a scrumptious Chinese take-out dinner, and surprise your Valentine with a fortune cookie she will talk about for weeks! Go to www.goodfortunes.com (Click on "Gigantic Fortune Cookie") where you can write your love note and have it slipped inside a humongous fortune cookie!

Encourage An Older Adult to Publish A Book About Their Life Experiences

With a little help from www.iuniverse.com, publishing a book is now within reachfor those who wish to share their life stories with others. Family history, military service, hobbies, and travel adventures are all possible topics for novice writers to capture their thoughts forever in print. Offering to help navigate the publishing process would be a priceless gift!

The most precious gift you can give an older adult is the gift of your time and fellowship, and as a result love and affection will abound! These tips are simply vehicles for fun and laughter which are ageless, and like love....know no boundaries.

For more information on volunteering and enhancing the lives of older adults, please contact: Lori Williamson, Director of Adult Day Services at Christian Living Communities. Ms. Williamson can be reached at: (303) 332-1980 or

Email: lwilliamson@clcmail.org