The sounds of bell tolls, the colorful strings of lights, and the magical star on the holiday tree evoke the spirit of Christmas. Families gather to enjoy the festivities. Seniors, however, may feel left out. Taking the time to incorporate activities specifically geared toward the elderly helps them feel included.
Making Christmas memories is what families tend to do as they prepare the holiday meal, build snowmen on a snowy Christmas morning, or simply converse near the fireplace. Elderly loved ones, though, may not have the physical strength or cognitive functioning to keep up.
When families chat near the fireside, seniors with poor hearing may not be able to follow. Roasting the holiday turkey can be physically challenging for the elderly. Similarly, older adults do not have the stamina to keep up with the grandkids as they roll snowmen on a White Christmas morning.
Seniors can feel bored, left out, or stressed when they are unable to participate in the Christmas activities. A poignant feeling of sadness, too, can arise, as they sit idly, watching everyone have a merry time without them. Families are therefore encouraged to prepare activities specifically for seniors.
1. Start Crafting
The joyous spirit of the holiday season can be expressed through craft projects. Seniors are sure to enjoy assembling small ornaments, creating Christmas tree buttons, or painting pinecones. Once the projects are completed, the ornaments or pinecones can be given as Christmas presents to loved ones.
2. Prepare a Christmas Dinner
Seniors may be physically frail, which prevents them from standing over a hot stove and preparing the holiday cranberry sauce. Families who adapt, however, can include the elderly in the preparations. Ask the senior to engage in minor yet important activities, like folding dinner napkins for the holiday table.
3. Reminisce about Past Christmases
One of the best ways to engage seniors during the holiday is to invite them to talk about past Christmases. The elderly might discuss memorable events, such as when they met their significant other or how Christmas was spent in yesteryears. Seniors will feel included and special.
4. Play Christmas Games
Playing charades with a Christmas twist is a great way to involve seniors. To play, simply select words, phrases, or activities related to Christmas. Examples of activities for the game include making snow angels, drinking hot chocolate, or building a gingerbread house.
Another fun game in which seniors will enjoy participating is naming carols. Family members play snippets of popular Christmas songs. Participants then write down what song they think it is. Older people will thrive in the camaraderie they share with others as the jot down their answers.
5. Watch Festive Movies
Watching nostalgic Christmas movies is an activity seniors will appreciate and be able to do. Loved ones can pick a movie suitable for all ages, such as It’s a Wonderful Life or Babes in Toyland. After the movie, seniors will enjoy discussing the classic plot twists with their loved ones.
6. Hold a Driveway Chat
Especially in warmer climates, driveway chats on Christmas day are savored. Bundle up the senior in warm clothes, grab a few folding chairs, and head out to the driveway for a few hours of swapping stories with the neighbors. The social activity benefits seniors’ emotional well-being.
7. Sing Christmas Carols
What senior does not love singing Christmas carols? Older adults will find plenty of ways to express their heartfelt cheer during this holiday season by singing Christmas tunes. Families bond with their elderly loved ones as they sing both carols and classic Christmas favorites.
8. Read a Book Together
Sharing a storybook with the grandkids keeps seniors’ minds engaged and active. Reading together is an enjoyable activity, one that is made better when grandparents get to pick out a story from their childhood. How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Night Before Christmas are all-time favorites.
9. Decorate Together
While the senior will not be able to climb the ladder to hang strings of rooftop lights, they can hang popcorn garlands or ornaments on the holiday tree. Older adults can safely cut out paper snowflakes and decorate the windows with them. Sharing the activity with grandkids doubles their fun.
10. Take a Christmas Photo
Aging adults will be pleased to have their photograph taken with the family. Dressed up in a Santa’s hat, reindeer horns, or the traditional ugly Christmas sweater will make the family portrait memorable for not only the senior, but future generations as well.
Seniors feel comfortable and look forward to Christmas when they are included in the day’s festive activities. Family members can make the day even brighter for their elderly loved ones by creating a schedule. Older people flourish when they know what to expect.
Families must prepare in advance in order to make Christmas memorable and enjoyable for an elderly loved one. While you are busy making holiday preparations, the senior in your life will require ongoing care. You’ll find dependable in-home care from Assisting Hands Home Care.
We support the elderly with all the activities of daily living in the comfort of home. Our professional caregivers are skilled in helping seniors with personal hygiene tasks, giving medication reminders, providing transportation, performing light housekeeping, and being pleasant companions.
Our companion care is sought after by area families. We prevent seniors from feeling lonely and isolated, especially during the holidays. Caregivers converse with the elderly about hobbies or life experiences, join them in recreational pursuits, read to them and, in general, keep them socially engaged.
Families have little to worry about when choosing Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers are licensed, bonded, and insured. Caregivers from our home care agency are trained in CPR and First-Aid, which gives families extra peace of mind in case an emergency arises.
Assisting Hands Home Care is valued by families with seniors living in BallenIsles, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Singer Island, Wellington, West Palm Beach, FL and the surrounding communities. Whether you need companion care, respite care, or any other form of non-medical-home health care, contact us. We’ll schedule an in-home consult and give the senior the best in elder care.
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