I think they would appreciate hugs, visits, holding of a hand, bringing in small children to visit and sing, well mannered dogs to pet, the sound of the birds singing in the trees, and beautiful landscaping to look at. Lets not forget note cards, stamps, and slippers too.

Writing poems about things that interest others is a tough assignment. I can tell you, that no matter what our ages are, we
generally still have an interest in the things that interested us when
we were young and able to be energetic and could walk a mile or
hike or swim for any duration. Some elderly people still can, if they
have good bones and circulation. It just depends on what the individual
has inherited from his family members in his past family tree. I find
things that we are pre disposed to inherit, we generally do. All of the
bad health issues, of course. I never thought I’d have health issues
when I got older. But I’ve followed in my dads’ shoes with the things
he had and died from. And now I’m not far behind.
So think of it this way, we all had youthful ideas and hobbies at
one time. Just like you have or will. But as we age, our bodies slow
down, to the point where by retirement age, most of us don’t have
good knees or backs or feet anymore. So we are greatly restricted
on what we can or cannot do.
You should visit a retirement home, vs a nursing home and get
your inspiration from these places. Ask people what they most
remember liking to do when they were young, that they’d like to do
today, if they could. And then you’ll get some subject ideas to write
about and make the verses rhyme. Always do your research well in
advance of when a paper is do, so you are better prepared. You’re
lucky this isn’t an in class assignment that I had to do for Enlish
Lit when I was in my senior year. But luckily, I sailed right through.

Listen to the lyrics in the 40’s songs.

There is a lot of material in there.
It seems like all their songs were so
innocent and pure - even the romantic
or ‘funny’ ones.

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me. Should give you an idea of what I am talking about.

Make sure your print is big enough for elders to read, too.

They love the Holy Bible, The Lord Jesus Christ son of God and talking about him. (hopefully all of them do)
They like talking about when they were young, and about how things have changed.
The corner drug store where they lived, you will find a lot of them love to talk about the things that would happen there.

I think any poem written about nostalgic things, like days when milk was delivered in bottles to your door, catching lightening bugs in jars as a kid or with your own kids, how everyone knew their neighbors, we didn’t live in a disposable world (lighters, marriages, etc.), swimming holes, not pools in summer, picnics, thunderstorms, babies laughter, family, first kisses, first broken hearts, meeting your mate…

I suggest you visit some in your area talk to them.

–Things I learned from my grandpa (or grandma, or elderly neighbor)
–Write about the things they’ve told you about, like tire swings and tin-cans-on-strings that you may not have experienced, what your own experiences have been, and why theirs may have been better. (Nostalgia sells well at my mother’s nursing home.)
–memories from a time you visited an elderly person
–nature
–pets
–history

Potato chips and dip.

mostly family visits
showers
good food
pleasant living conditions,

Some posters seem to have missed your point.
Try writing about years gone by as elderly people like to reminisce.
Old games they played as children, running errands for their mothers, schooldays, going to dances and romances of old.
Do not include wartime etc.
Good luck.