Tips to make a Senior’s Holiday Experience Special
Here are some thoughtful and simple ways to help Seniors enjoy the holidays:
Companionship: Visit and spend time with a senior loved one or participate in an activity they love, play their favorite game or simply ask them about their life. Storytelling and memory sharing is a great way to lift a senior’s spirit and can be very important to the aging process. Let your elderly loved one share stories and explore memories by looking at old pictures, letters and newspaper articles and by listening to music. Remember to also be thoughtful. If your loved one has experienced memory loss, it can be difficult and frustrating when you are telling stories or recalling events from the past. Also, setting up Skype or Facetime so they can visit with out-of-town family members and friends is time well spent.
Cooking:
Prepare one of their favorite holiday meals and then stay to visit and enjoy the meal with them. This can be a great way to connect with your loved one. Also, consider inviting them to cook with you and have fun making a favorite family holiday recipe together.
Home Help:.
It can be difficult for seniors to do housework, especially if they have mobility issues or other physical limitations. Helping them around the house by cleaning, de-cluttering and picking up anything on the floor that could be a tripping hazard can ensure the senior’s home is safe. Don’t forget the outside of the home as well. Raking leaves, doing yard work and getting the outdoors ready for winter can be a huge help.
Transportation:
About one in five people over the age of 65 don’t drive. Offer to take your senior loved one to doctor appointments, dental check-ups and eye exams. And accompany them to them to some of their favorite social activities, volunteer opportunities and holiday events so they feel comfortable knowing there will be someone to safely transport them…and you can spend quality time with each other.
Holiday Help:
Help with setting up and decorating their Christmas tree. Make their home festive by decorating their main living space. Help wrap gifts and write and mail their holiday cards. You can even make holiday cookies together.
The holidays can get busy, hectic and overwhelming for all of us. It’s important to remember what the holidays are all about – a season of peace, joy and giving. And remember the aging senior in your life. Just by spending time with them, you can help them have a happy holiday.
Our Companion Care Services can assist those who may not have family nearby and help seniors enjoy the holidays. We can help with cooking, holiday chores, and more.
BrightStar Care of Bedford / Manchester provides 24/7 to Hourly Care
We offer support around the clock and provide a full continuum of private duty home health care services, including companionship, personal care, transportation, medication assistance, and skilled nursing. Proudly serving Manchester, Bedford, Nashua, Derry, Salem, Londonderry, Hampton, and Exeter, NH areas.
For more information on how BrightStar Care supports seniors and families, and to learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled healthcare professionals, and home health care support for New Hampshire families and businesses – Please Click Here
