The Super Bowl is coming up this Sunday! This isn’t just a football game, it’s a cultural event filled with memories! For caregivers, it can be a fun and easy way to connect with seniors, even if they aren’t avid football fans.
This week’s caregiver tip: Use the Super Bowl as a conversation starter and connection opportunity!
Here are some simple questions you can ask seniors:
- “Do you remember your favorite Super Bowl commercial?”
- “Which one made you laugh the most over the years?”
- “Did you ever watch the Super Bowl as a family tradition?”
- “Which team were you rooting for?”
Even seniors who aren’t sports fans often enjoy discussing commercials, especially iconic ones that aired over the years.
Here are a few commercials that seniors might remember:
- 1984 – Apple (1984)
- Hey Kid, Catch – Coca-Cola (1979/1980)
- Whassup?! – Budweiser (1999/2000)
- The Force – Volkswagen (2011)
- Puppy Love – Budweiser (2014)
- PuppyMonkeyBaby – Mountain Dew Kickstart (2016)
When talking with seniors, especially those with hearing loss or dementia, consider:
- Speak clearly and face them
- Use familiar vocabulary
- Keep a consistent routine
- Give time to respond
- Observe body language
For seniors with hearing challenges:
- Gain attention before speaking (gentle touch on hand/shoulder)
- Reduce background noise
- Rephrase instead of repeating
