Weird September Holidays You Can Celebrate With the Elderly

Caregiving doesn't have to be serious all the time. There are plenty of opportunities to have fun with your new role.

September is here, and it is full of some of the wildest, weirdest holidays. Why not take advantage of some of the following events? Share them with an elderly loved one and start a new tradition:

Happy Cat Month!

September is Happy Cat Month. If your loved one is a cat person, why not take advantage of all of the feline fun out there? Take a trip to a local shelter and visit the cats. Maybe adopt one. If you can't adopt one, why not make a donation?

If you or your loved one owns a cat, take this time to make sure they are healthy, groomed and pampered. In the meantime, celebrate cats by buying a cat themed calendar (next year's calendar of course), a mug, a shirt, or a figurine.

Make a game out of seeing how many cats you can count when you are on outings. Keep your loved one alert and engaged in their surroundings with this game.

Breakfast? 

September is also Breakfast Month. What a great reason to have make "breakfast for dinner" a couple of nights this week. Or, if you usually cook at home, why not treat your loved one to a breakfast at a restaurant somewhere?

Daily Events You Can Enjoy

• September 4th-- Eat an Extra Dessert Day (as long as it is safe for them to do so, your loved one will probably love this an extra scoop of ice cream or slice of pie.)

• September 4th--The 4th is also National Wildlife Day. Take a walk outside and enjoy birds, bugs, squirrels, flowers, etc. Visit a lake or park for a better chance of spotting wildlife. 

• September 6th--Read a Book Day. What a great idea! Take a trip to the library and check out something lighthearted and easy to read aloud. Or browse your own bookcase for an old favorite. 

• September 9th--is National Grandparent's Day--The perfect day to help your kids throw a small party just for their grandparent. Have a gift basket, some cards, and some decorations along with a favorite meal. Encourage some reminiscing, go through old photo albums, and maybe end the night with a movie and popcorn. 

• September 11th--Make Your Bed Day. Here is an opportunity to freshen up the way a room looks. Why not help your loved one pick out a new bedspread, or try a different pillow arrangement? 

• September 13th--Positive Thinking Day. Sometimes seniors find it hard to focus on the positive aspects of their life, rather than their health and loss if independence. Make today the day to celebrate all the good things. Make it a house rule for the day that everyone has to look at the good side of every situation. (For example: intead of saying "the arthritis in my hands is awful today", say "I am glad that I feel okay everywhere else today!"

• September 16th--National Play-Doh Day. Time for some arts and crafts! Of course, you can use modelling clay or homemade modelling dough. Or maybe use that imagination and sculpt fun creations out of cookies or bread dough for dinner. Great for a house with small children. 

• September 21st is both World Alzheimer's Day and World Gratitude Day. For families effected by Alzheimer's disease, this a good time to show awareness. It is also a good time to voice gratitude about everything you appreciate in life, but especially the memories and times before the onset of Alzheimer's. 

• September 23rd--National Checkers Day. Challenge the family to a game of checkers or even a checker's marathon. This strategy game is great mind exercise for seniors and it's fun too. 

• September 26th is National Thank You Day--Always remember to say thank you. Why not take this day to write and send thank you cards to people who have helped out with caregiving, such as a great nurse, or a minister?

• September 28th is Good Neighbor Day--A good day for you and your elderly loved one to make a treat for your favorite neighbor. 

• September 29th is National Museum Day. Take a break from the routine and go on a day out. Any museum will work. Check out one that is fun!

Jot some of these dates down on your calender and don't forget to make it enjoyable for everyone.