Think of the most ideal holiday season you can imagine. While that image may vary a little for every one of us, it might include gifts, lights, good food, and traditions handed down through the generations. Yet what absolutely holds true for all of us is the joy in spending time with those we love.
Sadly, the COVID-19 crisis has, of course, caused all of us to struggle with helping seniors during the holidays to find safe ways to celebrate. With a bit of ingenuity and creativity, however, it is feasible to bridge the gap while making new memories with the older adults you love, even if you cannot be together with them in person this year. The safest option is to help senior citizens stay home during these times, and our aging care professionals have gathered a variety of tips to enable you to get started:
- Modify traditions. Consider the traditions that mean the most to you and your family, and exactly how you can modify them to keep everyone safe. For instance, if the family usually gets together every year to bake cookies, you can utilize Zoom or a comparable platform to stay connected while baking from home. Select a favorite recipe, have everybody sign in at a designated time, and bake away while visiting and listening to some holiday music.
- Don’t do away with decorating. Senior loved ones who live alone often look ahead to having family, especially grandchildren, visit to assist with holiday decorating. Without in-person visits, seniors might not be motivated to bother with decorations. Again, using a software app like Zoom, set up for a time for everyone to get together online and share the stories behind favorite decorations.
- Enjoy the outdoors. If weather allows, plan short visits with seniors outside, safely socially distant and with face coverings. String lights on trees in the yard and decorate the front porch. In case of snow, have the grandchildren build a snowman or engage in a snowball fight while your older loved ones watch from the window.
- Send smiles. Cards, letters, pictures, telephone calls, small gifts, etc. will all mean a great deal to seniors who are missing time with family and friends. Coordinate with family members to take turns reaching out as much as possible in ways like this so your older family members are inundated with expressions of love.
- Share your feelings. There’s nothing quite as heartwarming as hearing from someone you love about the impact you’ve made on his/her life. Take this time to convey your gratitude to the older adults you love for the difference they have made in your life, and be specific: “Grandma, your patience with me when I was a teen taught me what unconditional love looks like, and thanks to you, I am a more patient person with my own kids.”
Stay Home Care’s caregivers are experienced and fully trained in enhancing quality of life for older adults and helping senior citizens stay home, and follow rigorous safety protocols for every person’s protection. Call us at 615-964-7726 or contact us online to learn more about how our Brentwood home health care and senior care in the surrounding areas can help make this holiday season the best it can be for an older adult you love.