With college football season upon us, it is time to remember college days, hometown pride, marching bands, tailgates, favorite rivalries, or Saturdays spent cheering from the living room.
If your mom or dad has always loved football, the start of the season can be a simple way to help them feel connected, known, and included. It also gives families an easy reason to visit, decorate, reminisce, and share a few laughs.
Bring Back the Team Spirit
One of the easiest ways to celebrate football season is by helping your loved one show off their favorite team. That might mean bringing a team shirt, a small blanket, a pennant, a wreath in team colors, or a simple door decoration for their apartment.
A senior living apartment door can become a small but meaningful way to express personality. It tells neighbors, staff, and visitors something about who they are. It might even spark a friendly rivalry with someone down the hall.
Ask About Their Favorite Football Memories
Instead of only asking, “Did your team win?” try asking questions that invite a story.
Questions That Invite a Story
- Did they ever go to games when they were younger?
- Who did their family cheer for?
- Did they go to homecoming?
- What was game day like when they were in school?
These questions can open the door to memories your family may not have heard before.
Three Early-Season College Games Worth Watching Together
Games to Catch This Season
- TCU vs. North Carolina, August 29 in Dublin. This is a fun one because it opens the season overseas at Aviva Stadium in Dublin as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Even for seniors who do not follow either team closely, the Ireland setting makes it a good conversation starter. It can lead to stories about travel, college memories, or simply how much college football has changed over the years.
- Colorado at Georgia Tech, September 3. A Thursday night prime-time game for “Coach Prime” can be perfect for a casual evening visit. The game at Georgia Tech in Atlanta is slated for broadcast on ESPN, which gives families a simple midweek way to enjoy football without committing to a full Saturday.
- Ohio State at Texas, September 12. This one has the feel of a true early-season spotlight game. The matchup is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC, with ESPN’s College GameDay scheduled to be in Austin. Even casual fans may enjoy the energy around a big national matchup like this.
Let It Be About More Than Football
For many older adults, a favorite team is tied to family history, school pride, hometown memories, or time spent with a spouse or children. Even if your loved one does not follow the sport closely anymore, football season can still be a fun way to talk about the past and enjoy the present.
At 12 Oaks Senior Living, we believe meaningful activities help residents stay connected to the things they have always loved. From seasonal events to shared meals, games, music, and community traditions, our communities help residents enjoy familiar joys in new ways.