Seniors Planning Ahead for Thanksgiving and Seeing Family

In the US, Thanksgiving is an important traditional family holiday that falls on the fourth Thursday of every November. It typically revolves around a large feast featuring turkey, with many other traditional side dishes and family favorites.

If you are hosting the event, consider enlisting the help of your nearby guests by asking them to contribute a dish for the meal. If they have a dish which is a specialty of theirs, they'll be pleased to be asked to share it with family and friends. If they have special dietary restrictions, this will allow them to bring something that they know they can safely eat. Then you can concentrate on providing the main entree without having to wear yourself out by preparing the whole feast by yourself. Football is a traditional part of many Thanksgiving gatherings. For those who don't care for the sport, consider engaging them in a spirited family board or card game or craft projects geared to appropriate age levels.

If you are traveling any significant distance to attend the festivities, plan ahead. If traveling by car, drink plenty of fluids to keep from dehydrating, and take frequent rest stops at least every couple of hours to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. If you're using public transportation, check with your primary doctor to be sure travel is okay. Bring all of your prescriptions in their original containers, stored in a clear zippered bag to keep them all together and to be in compliance with airline safety regulations. Don't forget denture cream or extra hearing aid batteries if you use them. Arrange in advance to have someone pick you up from the airport or station.

Whatever you do, relax and enjoy the precious family time with your loved ones.