Nursing Homes

What to Read this February for Valentine’s Day Feels in Nursing Homes

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February is finally here, and it feels like the right time to bring romance novels into the reading list. Even for seniors living in nursing homes, love stories and reading still have a place in everyday life. This month looks at how familiar romantic stories can spark interest and create moments of comfort through simple, heartfelt plots that focus on connection and lasting affection.

The Benefits of Reading for Seniors in Nursing Homes

Reading is simply not just a pastime. And for seniors in nursing homes, it’s a meaningful way to stay engaged with the world. Books provide a familiar return each day, offering quiet focus and a personal sense of purpose without draining energy or attention.

The benefits of reading for seniors are evident in several clear, practical ways that support daily life and overall well-being.

  • Mental engagement. Encourages steady focus and active thinking.
  • Emotional comfort. Supports calm through familiar stories and themes.
  • Sense of routine. Adds structure to daily schedules.
  • Social connection. Creates shared moments through discussion or group reading.
  • Personal identity. Reflects lifelong interests and preferences.
  • Stress reduction. Promotes relaxation through quiet concentration.

Reading remains a simple yet enduring activity that supports quality of life by providing consistency and meaningful engagement in later years.

Valentine’s Day-Themed Reading Ideas

Here are a few recommended books that you might want to read this month of love.

Pack Up the Moon, by Kristan Higgins

This story follows a husband as he learns to live again through letters his wife leaves behind after her death. Each chapter gives you a clear moment to sit with love, grief, and quiet humor. The pacing is gentle, and the focus on enduring connection can feel deeply familiar and reassuring as you read.

Book Lovers, by Emily Henry

You follow Nora and Charlie, two sharp, book-loving rivals who keep running into each other until those clashes turn into something warmer. The dialogue is lively, and the humor keeps things light. It is an easy story to settle into, with a playful romance that feels fitting for February, especially when days invite cozy reading time.

A Thousand Boy Kisses, by Tillie Cole

You follow Rune and Poppy through a love shaped by distance and moments that linger long after they pass. The story moves gently, with short scenes that are easy to stay with. Its focus on lasting affection and cherished memories aligns well with February, offering an emotional read that invites reflection and quiet connection on slower days.

Things We Never Got Over, by Lucy Score

You follow Naomi as a fresh start in a small Virginia town turns messy and funny with an unexpected twist, thanks to a gruff barber who prefers being alone. The story blends romance with everyday humor and clear storytelling. It is easy to slip into, with warmth and spark that feel right for February reading when comfort and connection matter most.

Safe Haven, by Kristen Proby

You follow two longtime friends who are brought back together at a ranch, where old feelings resurface and second chances quietly take shape. The story moves at a calm pace, with emotion grounded in family and familiar bonds. It suits February reading well, offering warmth and reflection that feel comforting during slower days spent with a good book.

Love and Other Brain Experiments, by Hannah Brohm

You step into a sharp, playful story set at a New York science conference where rivalry turns into fake dating and real feelings. The chapters move briskly, with humor grounded in everyday pressure and quiet longing. It fits well with February reading, offering light romance and clever dialogue that are engaging without requiring a heavy emotional lift.

Looking for an excellent senior living community in Nebraska? Click here to learn more about Fallbrook Assisted Living!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Assisted Living

Celebrating Valentine’s Day in Assisted Living

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Valentine’s Day arrives with heart-eyed excitement and a sense of occasion that reaches far beyond cards and candy, and everyone deserves to celebrate it, including people in assisted living. Too often, the holiday gets mislabeled as awkward or impractical in these settings, shaped by routines and assumptions about loneliness tied to mobility limits that suggest joy fades with age.

But that shouldn’t be the case!

Why Valentine’s Day Matters in Assisted Living Communities

Why should anyone later in life be pushed aside when Valentine’s Day comes around? People living in assisted living have the same right to celebrate love and meaningful connection as anyone else, whether that comes from a partner or from familiar faces nearby. Age does not erase the need to feel valued, and a holiday centered on care and attention should never be treated as off-limits simply because of where someone lives.

Valentine’s Day also holds meaning in these communities for clear and lasting reasons; below are just a few.

  • It creates something to look forward to during an otherwise ordinary month.
  • It encourages residents to engage with one another in a relaxed setting.
  • It offers a reminder that affection still belongs in daily life.
  • It helps maintain emotional engagement during quieter seasons.
  • It recognizes long-held relationships without excluding new ones.
  • It supports a sense of belonging that routine alone cannot provide.
  • It reinforces that celebration does not stop with age.

Ultimately, Valentine’s Day serves as a reminder that connection remains essential at every stage of life, and acknowledging that truth strengthens the fabric of any community built around shared living and care.

Meaningful Valentine’s Day Activities for Residents

Carefully planned activities can help make Valentine’s Day a meaningful occasion for assisted living residents when events are designed with comfort and accessibility in mind. Effective planning centers on physical ease and emotional readiness, allowing people to participate at their own pace without feeling pushed or overlooked.

When activities fit naturally into the day, the holiday feels welcoming rather than disruptive.

Group socials and themed events

Group socials provide residents with opportunities to gather in a shared space without social pressure. Valentine-themed events also work best when they rely on familiar music and light decorations. Seating should remain open and flexible, allowing residents to join briefly or stay longer. These gatherings make the holiday visible while preserving personal choice and quiet enjoyment.

Crafting and card-making

Crafting activities offer a hands-on way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without requiring a lot of energy. Card-making allows residents to express care through written notes or simple artwork. Working side by side encourages conversation through proximity rather than obligation. Completed cards can be exchanged with nearby residents or sent to family, giving the activity purpose beyond the table.

Family involvement opportunities

Family involvement adds meaning when participation remains manageable. Short visits or shared projects help maintain connection without overwhelming residents. For relatives who cannot attend in person, mailed cards or scheduled calls offer another way to engage. These efforts keep relationships present while respecting distance and daily routines.

Meaningful Valentine’s Day activities succeed when they honor personal boundaries and shared experience, creating moments that feel genuine without demanding more than residents wish to give.

Looking for excellent senior care in Nebraska? Click here to learn all about Fallbrook Assisted Living!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper