These days, families are more geographically scattered than ever. Social media provides one way of staying in touch, but there is still something special and irreplaceable about seeing your senior loved ones engaged and in-person, especially at holiday gatherings.
It’s important to remember that your senior loved ones can be particularly susceptible to feelings of loneliness, separation and depression during the holidays. However, with some planning, they too can experience the joy of the holiday and being with family.
Here are our suggestions for making holidays with seniors special, for them and your entire family!
Prepare Holiday Gatherings and Details in Advance
As you plan your holiday gatherings, be sure to make arrangements and accommodations for your senior loved one well ahead of time.
Location is very important, especially for seniors living with dementia. Depending on their level of comfort and stage of dementia, these seniors may feel better staying in their own homes. If their dementia is more advanced, leaving their home can be confusing and stressful.
If the gathering is being held in a family member’s home, spend time thinking about the preparations — and make sure to include them as best you can. For example, ask Mom to find a recipe that can be used at the party while you vacuum the living room. Remind her that she has some great recipes, and that you’ll be in the living room and out of her way.
If the holiday celebration will be at another location, check for potential hazards like stairs, stray electrical cords, and raised carpeting or mats, as well as seating that may be difficult or dangerous for a senior adult to use. Don’t seat any seniors near walkways where children might be running back and forth. Make adjustments ahead of time so your senior loved ones don’t become embarrassed by last-minute fussing over arrangements for them.
Also, be sure they have their medications with them, and know when they should take them.
If the senior is living in a retirement or assisted living community, involve the staff in your planning to better understand how your loved one can have a positive experience celebrating the holidays.
To Keep Seniors Interested, Get Them Involved!
If your parents or grandparents want to help prepare for the holiday gathering, ask them to help stir the potatoes or set the table. It gives them a sense of purpose. When spending the holidays with seniors, remember that they used to be the planners, arrangers, caregivers and cooks of the family, so they will appreciate contributing to the event.
It is easy to become consumed with the party — just remember why you gathered together in the first place. If Grandma spills something in the kitchen, it doesn’t matter! What matters are the moments you share with her that day.
Think About the Setting
At most holiday gatherings, everyone is talking, music may be playing, dishes are clinking—it’s loud! If your senior loved one is dealing with a cognitive issue or is hearing impaired, this type of environment can be particularly overstimulating — or they may not join in because they can’t hear or understand what is going on.
Some strategies you can use to help them sort through the situation and make sure they feel involved include:
- Talking a little slower, but not insultingly slow.
- Facing the senior when talking to them.
- Giving them time to respond.
- Inviting them into a quieter room to talk.
Choose the Activities Strategically
It’s easy to get carried away in conversation or loud gift exchanges, but be sure to include some quality family time that your senior loved ones will be happy to participate in.
Bringing out an old photo album to look through can provide an opportunity to talk about family members and connect to their memories. You may even learn some things about your family that you didn’t know!
Singing old familiar songs is another great way to spend the holidays with seniors. After dinner, you can take a leisurely drive to look at holiday lights. Or, if playing games is a family holiday tradition, ask them to pick from among their favorites!
Holiday Support for Family Caregivers
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season upon us, don’t forget about your senior loved ones. If you need a helping hand this holiday season, Bethesda offers solutions that make things easier for family caregivers.
Happy Holidays from Bethesda!
For more tips on making holidays with seniors fun for everyone, visit our blog!
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