Valentine’s Day tends to get framed as a holiday just for couples. But connection and care don’t belong to just one kind of relationship. Love in all its forms is critical to senior wellness and aging well, and February is the perfect time to focus on all types of love – familial, friendship, and even self-love.
That’s why we created this list of Valentine’s Day activities that celebrate yourself, your friendships, and the people that make your life feel full. Keep reading to find a few activities you can try this Valentine’s Day.
Remember: Combatting social isolation in seniors doesn’t require grand gestures. Often, it’s the smaller, more intentional moments that make the biggest difference for senior wellness.
1. Plan a “Just Because” Lunch Date
Invite someone to lunch “just because.” It could be a longtime friend, a neighbor you’ve been meaning to get to know better, or a family member you don’t see often. Sharing a meal creates space for conversation, laughter, and presence, all of which support senior mental health.
2. Host a Galentine’s Afternoon
A Galentine’s Day party doesn’t need to be fancy to have fantastic benefits for senior wellness. A few friends, a pot of coffee or tea, and something sweet on the table is more than enough. If you want to make it special, add a few Galentine’s day details, such as a single yellow rose for each guest or a chocolate truffle handed to them when they walk in the door.
Having a reason to gather helps strengthen friendships, which play a significant role in aging well and maintaining strong senior mental health, especially during the quiet winter months.
3. Bake Something and Share It
Pick a recipe that feels nostalgic or comforting – like cookies, banana bread, or muffins – and share what you make. Dropping off baked goods or inviting someone to enjoy them with you turns a solo activity into a shared experience. Acts of giving can boost mood and purpose, which are important aspects of senior wellness and emotional health.
Tip: If you don’t want to battle snowy weather or heavy traffic, GoGo Grocery delivery can bring ingredients straight to your door, so you can focus on baking, snacking, and having fun.
4. Send a Surprise Treat
Instead of a card, send food to someone you care about. A favorite soup, dessert, or comforting meal is a great way to say, “I’m thinking of you,” and is sure to make their day.
Make treat delivery a breeze with GoGo Gourmet. GoGo works with restaurants to help accommodate dietary preferences, making it possible to send a takeout care package to someone you love while still supporting senior wellness and health.
5. Take Yourself on a Solo Date
Choose something you enjoy but don’t always make time for. A quiet café, a museum, a bookstore, or even a scenic drive. Spending intentional time alone can strengthen senior mental health and remind you that a key part of aging well includes enjoying your own company.
6. Write Handwritten Letters
Handwritten notes have a way of slowing things down. Write and mail a letter to someone who shaped your life, supported you, or simply made you laugh. This could be a child or grandchild, an old friend, or even the barista at the local café you visit each morning. Gratitude and reflection are powerful tools for senior wellness, helping strengthen emotional resilience and deepen your sense of connection with people you care about.
7. Try a Group Class or Workshop
Join a class, lecture, or workshop that sparks your curiosity. Learning something new supports brain health and creates easy opportunities to connect with others who share your interests. It’s also a fantastic way to support your own passions and creativity, which helps instill confidence and self-love.
8. Create a Nostalgic Playlist
Make a playlist of songs tied to meaningful moments or eras in your life. Music is deeply connected to memory, mood, and emotion, making it a powerful tool for senior mental health. Play the playlist while cooking, relaxing, or spending time with a friend.
9. Have a Movie Afternoon with a Friend
Invite a loved one over for a movie marathon. Pick a theme or a favorite genre and make an afternoon of it. Popcorn, blankets, and shared commentary are encouraged! Simple rituals and shared experiences like this foster connection, improve mood, and reduce the risk of social isolation in seniors.
10. Volunteer
Purpose and contribution are closely tied to aging well and can have a major impact on senior mental health. But you don’t have to drain your energy to make an impact. Choose something small and meaningful. Writing notes, helping organize donations, or supporting a cause you care about are fantastic ways to show love to your community this Valentine’s Day.
11. Cook a Comfort Meal with a Friend
Invite a friend to cook a meal with you, even if it’s a simple recipe. Cooking together creates conversation, teamwork, and warmth, which support senior wellness and help keep your relationships active and alive.
12. Take an At-Home Wellness Class
Movement and structure support all aspects of senior wellness – physical, mental, and emotional. And it doesn’t have to be hard to get started. You can take a fitness class right from your living room with Grow with GoGo!
GoGoGrandparent members get access to Grow with GoGo classes, which are accessible fitness workshops designed with aging well in mind. They’re made to meet you where you are – no matter your skill level – making senior wellness feel approachable. Check out some of our past Grow with GoGo classes here, free on YouTube.
13. Schedule a Friendship Date
Even if your Valentine’s Day is quiet, plan something to look forward to, like a lunch, a walk, or a shared hobby with a friend. Having something on the calendar can lift mood and support senior wellness, making social isolation in seniors feel a little less heavy around the holiday.
14. Do One Thing for Yourself
Caring for yourself is not indulgent. It’s foundational to senior wellness and a critical way to support senior mental health. So, this Valentine’s Day, do something that shows yourself love. This could be a long bath, an afternoon nap, journaling, or simply sitting with a cup of tasty tea.
Getting There Shouldn’t Be the Hard Part
Staying socially connected plays a big role in aging well. But unfortunately, for many people, transportation can get in the way. That’s where GoGo Rides makes a real difference.
GoGo Rides offers safe, reliable transportation to get you where you need to go: lunch with friends, Galentine’s Day plans, community classes, doctor’s appointments, or just getting out of the house for a change of scenery. Having an easy way to get there helps reduce social isolation in seniors, making it easier and less stressful to say “yes” to the plans that make you feel happy and loved.
And you don’t need to drive, use a smartphone, or manage complicated apps. A simple phone call to one of our friendly operators is all it takes, and we’ll help coordinate your lift anywhere, anytime – on your schedule.
If Valentine’s Day inspires you to reach out, reconnect, or try something new, GoGo Rides can help you get there with confidence. Learn more about GoGo Rides here.
