Making the Most of the Holidays with your Senior

The holidays are a time for family and friends to gather together and celebrate. However, the holidays can be tough for seniors, especially if they have lost loved ones or struggle with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. With more seniors choosing to age in place, it’s important to prevent isolation and help them to be social and active. There are many ways to celebrate the holidays and make it an enjoyable and memorable time for everyone.

1. Help them get in the spirit. Take the time to help your elderly parent decorate their home. Talk about the decorations they have collected over the years and what makes them special. Share stories from years past when you have spent time together. These little mementos can help spark their memory and seeing them can remind your loved one that it’s the holiday season. Just be careful to keep any cords out of the way and ensure that decorations don’t cause any safety concerns such as tripping and falling or fires.

2. Uphold traditions. If you always bake cookies together or go see The Nutcracker, make it a point to do so again this year. It could be something that your loved one looks forward to and that fills them with happy memories. You could also ask them what they would like to do or how they want to celebrate.

3. Make them part of the festivities. Whether you’re decorating your house, baking, shopping, or going to a school play, invite your elderly parent along. Help them to participate as much as they can. Even if your shopping trip is short because they can’t walk long distances, they’ll appreciate the effort and being included.

4. Give meaningful gifts. Think about what they could really use, rather than something that will sit and gather dust. Or give a homemade gift from the heart such as pictures, cards, or handmade keepsakes. If you’re crafty, you could knit a blanket or hat and scarf set. Grandchildren can make small crafts too or color pictures.

5. Stay in touch. If your loved one lives further away, communicate via phone or video chat. You could gather several family members together and have your own small party over the phone or online. Update each other on current events in your lives, share stories from holidays past, and show how much you care. If you mailed gifts, you can open them together and give thanks.

Enjoy the time that you get to spend with loved ones this holiday season. If you’re unable to be close, an in-home caregiver can help your senior to safely put up their decorations, sit and talk about favorite memories, send holiday cards, or attend community events. Contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online to learn more about how your elderly parent could benefit from senior services this holiday season and throughout the year.