{"id":3781,"date":"2023-12-05T17:35:48","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T17:35:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/45\/?p=3781"},"modified":"2025-05-13T14:49:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T14:49:00","slug":"making-the-holidays-special-for-elderly-loved-ones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/45\/texas\/westhouston\/blog\/making-the-holidays-special-for-elderly-loved-ones\/","title":{"rendered":"Making the Holidays Special for Elderly Loved Ones"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christmas is almost here! What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Christmas and the holiday season? Do you remember a special someone? While the holiday season is filled with joy, for our elderly loved ones it can sometimes be a lonely and stressful time of year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I recall a humble nativity set underneath our Christmas tree, a poinsettia or two, listening to \u201cvillancicos\u201d (Colombian Christmas songs), praying the <\/span>Christmas Novena<\/span><\/a> (Colombian tradition), participating in the school Christmas play and caroling in our neighborhood.\u00a0 <\/span>My mother<\/span><\/a> loved to cook and she was exceptional. She was the unofficial family caterer and cooked huge meals to share with friends and family, especially around the Christmas season. I remember everyone requesting her famous Colombian empanadas, pernil (roasted pork), or any of her other many delicious dishes.<\/span><\/p>\n

That special someone I remember is my godmother. We would spend our Christmas Eve together every year enjoying food, music, family and most importantly the Christmas spirit.\u00a0 She shared a genuine gift of joy and peace with her beautiful smile, her love to dance, and great big hugs.\u00a0 Inclusion was very important to her regardless of age or relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a mom myself, I now try to make Christmas \u201cspecial.\u201d I begin each season with a hectic agenda, a long list of gifts, and a little stress to achieve the perfect Christmas. I have been blessed to share some of my Christmas traditions with my daughters, which I hope they will carry on.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Challenges of the Holiday Season for Older Adults<\/b><\/h3>\n

During this holiday season, let\u2019s take a moment to think about our senior family members and elderly neighbors. They may be experiencing some loneliness and depression during the holidays\u00a0 due to the nostalgia of \u201cChristmas years ago.\u201d\u00a0 The change of traditions, loss of spouses, and close friends, separation of family, and health issues can lead to sadness and isolation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Making the Season Brighter<\/b><\/h3>\n

They might not be able to keep up with your hectic shopping trips, but you can help them reconnect by including them in the preparations. Some ideas include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Ask them to share a tradition that you can fit into your festivities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Recreate a childhood Christmas memory by video, pictures, or an ornament.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Help make their home festive with small holiday decorations . My mom loved having poinsettias around the holidays.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Ask them to help wrap gifts, even if it\u2019s just by placing the bow and a name tag.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Store gifts in their house for those that have nosey children or spouses.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Invite them to bake their favorite cookies or cake.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Have a movie night and watch their favorite Christmas movie.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • If distance is a problem, send them pictures of you baking and the finished product.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Send them a Christmas card with a handwritten note.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Call them and tell them about something funny that happened while preparing for the holiday season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Ask them about a holiday memory.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sing their favorite Christmas songs by the original artists.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The holiday season means many things to many people. But one thing we all have in common is that we can make someone\u2019s holiday season a little special with a gesture of kindness that will truly make a difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Funny thing, growing up I only recall a few gifts that were \u201cspecial.\u201d But I have many \u201cextra special\u201d memories of the Christmas season that I will hold close to my heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Best Regards,<\/span><\/p>\n

    Marisol Reyes<\/span><\/p>\n

    Owner of Assisting Hands West Houston<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Christmas is almost here! What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Christmas and the holiday season? Do you remember a special someone? While the holiday season is filled with joy, for our elderly loved ones it can sometimes be a lonely and stressful time of year.\u00a0 I recall a humble nativity set underneath our…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":189,"featured_media":3782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[73,72,70,71,74],"class_list":["post-3781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-elder-care","tag-caregiver","tag-caregiving","tag-elder-care","tag-holidays","tag-senior-care"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMaking the Holidays Special for Elderly Loved Ones - Assisting Hands West Houston - In Home Healthcare & Senior Care<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/45\/texas\/westhouston\/blog\/making-the-holidays-special-for-elderly-loved-ones\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Making the Holidays Special for Elderly Loved Ones - Assisting Hands West Houston - In Home Healthcare & Senior Care\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Christmas is almost here! 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