Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday. This year, the week-long celebration takes place between Saturday, April 12th and Sunday, April 20th. Easter, also called known as Pascha, is a Christian festival. This year, it begins with Good Friday, on Friday, April 18th and culminates with Easter Monday, on Monday, April 21st. For many seniors, Passover and Easter are cherished opportunities to spend time with loved ones.

Here are four safe and enjoyable ways for seniors to celebrate Passover and Easter:

1. Host or join a virtual Seder or Easter gathering.

For many older adults, attending holiday festivities in person can be difficult. Some have issues with distance and an inability to secure safe transportation. For others, it’s the physical strain that comes with mobility challenges. These issues don’t have to result in missing out! Thanks to easy-to-use technology like Zoom or FaceTime, seniors can still join in on Passover Seders or Easter dinners virtually.

Consider helping your elderly loved ones to set up video calls ahead of time. Walk them through how it works. To make it feel extra special, send or drop off a Passover meal kit or Easter basket in advance. You should also try to coordinate with family to light candles, read prayers or say grace at the same time.

2. Prepare traditional meals with a twist.

Who doesn’t love the large feasts that are commonplace at holiday celebrations? As long as it’s safe to do so, get your elderly loved ones in on the action in the kitchen. Consider cooking some health-conscious or texture-modified versions of traditional foods.

For Passover, you can bake soft matzo brei instead of crunchy matzo. Also, try low-sodium soups and stews. For Easter, opt for lean protein options like baked salmon instead of ham. Be sure to include plenty of vegetables as well.

3. Engage in fun holiday-based activities.

All Seniors Care offers a great list of suggestions for elderly celebrators of both Passover and Easter. For those celebrating Passover, you can have a Seder Cup decorating contest; create personalized Seder placemats or place cards; make a Matzah house; have the youngest person present ask the Four Questions; search for the afikomen; and sing Passover songs.

For those celebrating Easter, you can decorate your home with colourful Easter-themed decorations; host an Easter Egg Hunt and invite the grandchildren; make Easter baskets; play fun Easter-inspired games; invite a pet therapy rabbit to visit; and dye Easter eggs.

4. Attend a local service or event.

Many synagogues and churches in Scarborough, Pickering and Whitby offer accessible in-person services. They often have accommodations for mobility aid users. Be sure to check in advance to confirm wheelchair access, seating availability and if transportation assistance is available.

The Jewish humanitarian organization, Ve’ahavta is hosting a Community Passover Seder at Holy Blossom Temple. They invite people of all faiths to attend. Oraynu welcomes the community for the First Night Seder. For an extensive list of Easter activities in Toronto, check out the Family Fun Toronto and Over Here Toronto websites!

Chag Sameach and Happy Easter!

This Passover and Easter, let’s make it a time of inclusion, warmth and joy for the seniors in our lives. Do you or your loved one need assistance with mobility aids such as wheelchairs or home accessibility supports like stair lifts? Call LifeCare Mobility Solutions at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!