5 Ways to Help Your Loved One Feel Included During the Holidays
Happy holidays! This is a wonderful time of year for many people as we gather with friends and family to share gifts, songs, and delicious food. But the holidays can be difficult for our older parents and grandparents who live alone, struggle with memory loss, or have mobility issues. And it’s easy for seniors to feel left out of the festivities, even when they’re surrounded by others.
But your parent or grandparent can still enjoy the holiday season with a little extra love from you and your family. Here are five ways you can help your loved one feel appreciated and included during the holidays.
*Just a note: If you gather with family and friends for the 2020 holidays, make sure to quarantine before and after spending time with them to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. Small gatherings are best, provided that your loved ones are healthy and willing to spend extended time together indoors.
1. Call or visit before (and after) the holiday.
If your parent or grandparent has limited mobility, cannot drive themselves, or is in poor health, they might not be able to leave the house and visit their family. But paying your loved one a visit during the holiday season, or calling or FaceTiming them when you can’t stop by, is a great way to lift their spirits and help them keep loneliness at bay.
One thing to keep in mind: Make sure you reach out on or before Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah. This way, your loved one won’t feel like you’ve forgotten about them. Calling the senior in your life once a week could even be your New Year’s Resolution. They’ll feel included, remembered, and loved the whole holiday season and beyond.
2. Plan low-stress or in-home activities.
You might love all-day shopping sprees and big holiday parties, but they’ll probably wear your loved one out — especially if they have health or mobility issues. Instead, you can take an early-morning stroll around the mall with your parent or grandparent, either by walking or pushing them in their wheelchair. You’ll be able to admire holiday decorations together (and get a little exercise in) without fighting the holiday crowds.
Your loved one will also appreciate being invited to small gatherings where they know family or at least a few friendly faces. Then, they won’t have to worry about lots of noise or meeting new people.
Besides casual strolls and family get-togethers, there are plenty of senior-friendly holiday activities you can include your loved one in. Some of these include:
- Baking cookies
- Building gingerbread houses
- Crafting with the grandkids
- Listening to holiday music
- Wrapping presents
- Watching Christmas movies
- Lighting the menorah
- And more
3. Bring back traditions and memories.
Old holiday traditions may be what your loved one is missing most right now. The next time you talk with your parent or grandparent, ask them to share their favorite holiday tradition, like treats, songs, or activities.
Whether that’s going through photos of Hanukkahs past, driving around to see Christmas lights, or eating pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, you can incorporate your parent or grandparent’s favorite pastimes and traditions into your holiday routine.
If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia, you can still help them feel included and appreciated in holiday traditions and festivities. Try making a holiday dish or dessert with them that they used to serve in the past, or put on their favorite Christmas songs. Taste, touch, and sound (especially music) can all help to bring happy holiday memories back for your loved one.
4. Let them decorate, set up, or clean.
While you might love to cook holiday dinners and entertain guests, there’s a chance that your parent or grandparent used to do that for others — and misses it. Try not to think of them helping as slowing you down or getting in the way. Instead, invite your loved one to help you decorate, set up, or clean up during the holidays. This is a great way to make them feel included in the festivities.
For example, if they’re willing and able, your loved one can help you cook Thanksgiving dinner for the family. Or, you could ask your parent or grandparent to decorate the tree with the grandkids. They could also set the table, peel vegetables, or wash dishes with you. These tasks will help your loved one not only feel needed during the festivities, but also spend quality time making memories with their family.
5. Make sure they’re comfortable.
Holidays can be stressful and overwhelming for seniors who have memory loss, or who are sensitive to loud noises and changes in routines. It may help to set aside a quiet space (like a spare bedroom) where your loved one can go to recharge for a while if they need to. Ask if they’d like you to sit with them for a few minutes, and stay close to that room so you can check on them.
Your parent or grandparent may also feel alone or depressed this time of year, especially if they’ve lost a spouse or friends whom they used to spend holidays with. If you notice this in your loved one, spend some one-on-one time with them in a comfortable, quiet spot. Giving them your undivided attention, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on (if they need it) can help them feel a bit better and start to enjoy the holiday festivities around them
By following these five tips, you’ll be able to include your loved one during the holidays and help them safely enjoy the season.
We know this time of year can be stressful for caregivers and seniors. If you’d like assistance with transportation, medication reminders, or light housekeeping for your parent or grandparent, an in-home care professional can help. Then, you (and your loved one) can prepare for the holidays while knowing they are safe at home — even when you can’t always be there.
Safe-T Home Care is an in-home care agency in Monticello, Indiana. We provide transportation, financial planning, and other services so your loved ones can stay safe and independent at home. For more information, visit our website or like us on Facebook.