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What to Watch for This Thanksgiving: Insights from PT, OT, and Speech Therapy

Thanksgiving is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of togetherness, shared traditions, and gratitude. For many of us, it’s also a rare chance to spend extended time with aging loved ones, allowing us to observe how they’re doing in ways we might miss during shorter visits. Changes in mobility, memory, and communication can become more noticeable during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and recognizing these shifts is an essential step toward ensuring their safety and quality of life.

We spoke with Speech Therapist Danielle Bates, Physical Therapist Nick Kantor, and Occupational Therapist Liz Brophy from FOX Rehab, who shared their professional insights on what to watch for this Thanksgiving. While each therapist specializes in a different area, their shared goal is to help aging adults maintain independence and enjoy meaningful activities – like enjoying Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and family.

The Role of Occupational Therapy: Managing Everyday Tasks and Holiday Stress

Holidays can be both joyful and overwhelming for older adults, especially those experiencing cognitive changes. For some, the busy atmosphere of a family gathering may lead to withdrawal or frustration. If your loved one seems quieter than usual, gets up from the table frequently, or appears short-tempered, they might be feeling overstimulated.

Even before the big day, you might notice signs that they’re struggling with planning or multitasking. For instance, is your loved one feeling overwhelmed by hosting responsibilities? Are they forgetting key details, like how much food to prepare or when guests are arriving? If your parents are coming to stay with you for the holiday, did they pack the right medications? Are they taking them on the correct day in the prescribed dose? These subtle shifts in organizational skills can indicate that they need additional support.

At the Thanksgiving Table
As you share a meal together, observe how your loved one is managing day-to-day activities.

• Do they seem to have trouble feeding themselves, such as dropping utensils or spilling food?
• Are they leaning or slouching in their chair
• Finding it difficult to engage in both eating and conversation?

Even something as simple as the type of utensil can make a difference. Lightweight plastic utensils, often used for convenience during large gatherings, might be harder for someone with tremors or reduced hand strength to manage. Opt for sturdier utensils for everyone to make your loved one feel included without drawing attention to their needs.

If you notice challenges with these tasks, consider how occupational therapy might help. Occupational therapy focuses on creative solutions to make everyday activities safer and more enjoyable, helping people regain confidence in the tasks they value most—whether it’s making their signature gravy or setting the holiday table.

Speech Therapy: Communication, Cognition, and Swallowing

Thanksgiving is often a sensory overload—multiple conversations happening at once, laughter echoing from another room, and the clatter of dishes. For someone with language or cognitive challenges, this environment can feel overwhelming.

What to Observe
At the table, pay attention to how your loved one participates in conversations.

• Are they repeating the same stories or relying heavily on long-term memories rather than discussing current events?
• Are they quieter than usual, potentially withdrawing because it’s hard to keep up with the fast-paced dialogue?
• Do they have difficulty with voice projection? Are you able to understand your loved one across a crowded dinner table? If mom struggles being heard, it could mean that she is less likely to engage in conversation.
• Language challenges can also extend to practical concerns, like remembering names of family members or organizing their thoughts. Additionally, slowed auditory processing may make it harder for them to follow conversations, even with their hearing aids working properly.

Swallowing and Eating
Thanksgiving dinner is a feast, but some may struggle to enjoy it fully. Watch for signs like a diminished appetite, rapid or unusually slow eating, or coughing while drinking or eating. If they seem to favor sweets over savory dishes, it could be due to changes in taste buds that occur with aging. Poorly fitting dentures or discomfort while chewing might also contribute to their hesitation to eat.

Speech therapy can address these concerns, helping older adults build confidence in both social interactions and safe eating habits.

Physical Therapy: Mobility and Independence

Holidays are filled with movement—walking through crowded rooms, navigating steps, and balancing plates of food. For older adults, these seemingly simple tasks can present challenges.

What to Watch For

• Are they able to get in and out of the car safely?
• Can they navigate steps and uneven surfaces like driveways, carpets, or rugs?
• During the meal, take note if they need extra help pulling out their chair or adjusting their seat at the table.
• In a crowded home filled with people, toys, or rearranged furniture, mobility challenges may become more apparent.
• Are they steady when walking to the bathroom or carrying a drink while chatting?
• Do they appear more short of breath or less stable than during your last visit?

Encouraging Independence
While it’s natural to want to assist, it’s important to observe what your loved one can do independently. Allowing them to attempt tasks on their own can provide valuable insight into their strengths and areas where they might need support.

Physical Therapy emphasizes the importance of balance, stamina, and strength in maintaining independence as we age. The ability to engage in activites we have always enjoyed is important to quality of life.

Supporting Your Loved Ones Beyond Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving isn’t just a time to share a meal; it’s an opportunity to check in on your aging loved ones’ overall well-being. If you notice challenges with mobility, memory, or communication, it might be time to explore how therapy can help.

The goal of physical, occupational, and speech therapy is to empower individuals to maintain their independence and enjoy the activities they love. Whether it’s navigating a crowded home, participating in lively dinner conversations, or making a cherished family recipe, small changes can have a big impact on quality of life.

By observing with care and compassion, you can help ensure that your loved ones continue to thrive—this holiday season and beyond.

If you think your mom or dad might benefit from the supportive care that assisted living can provide, we encourage you to learn more about a Northbridge community near you!

To learn more about FOX Rehabilitation be sure to check out their website – foxrehab.org.

To learn more about the partnership a Northbridge Community near you has with FOX Rehabilitation, click here to find a Northbridge community near you and connect with one of our helpful Sales Directors!

We’re here to answer any of your questions, please contact us if we can provide further information or if you would like to schedule a personalized tour.