How to Help Aging Loved Ones Enjoy the Holidays: Tips for Family Gatherings with Seniors
How to Help Aging Loved Ones Enjoy the Holidays: Tips for Family Gatherings with Seniors
Understanding the Holiday Challenges for Aging Loved Ones
You’ve been gathering with family members to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas for as long as you can remember… but this year, things are different.
Your mom’s dementia is worsening, and your dad has become very frail. You worry that they may not be able to make it to the celebration and, if they do, that they won’t enjoy the family gathering.
What should you do?
“The holidays can be particularly challenging for older loved ones who have memory or mobility issues,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “It’s important for family members to be aware of the challenges and make a plan to cope with them – so that their older loved ones feel included… not burdensome.”
Tips for Creating a Safe and Comfortable Holiday Environment
Goetz offers these tips to help you and your family make the holidays joyous for everyone.
Plan Ahead: Set Up a Senior-Friendly Space
Clear clutter, move furniture and pick up throw rugs to accommodate walkers or wheelchairs and eliminate tripping hazards. If your aging loved ones tire easily, limit the number of activities they are involved in or the length of time they are included. The noise and confusion of a large family gathering can lead to irritability, confusion or exhaustion, so make sure they have a quiet space to retreat to, if necessary.
Adapting Holiday Traditions for Aging Loved Ones
Come up with ways to continue long-standing traditions – perhaps with slight changes to accommodate your aging loved ones. Be sure to account for potential challenges with meals and other activities for those with mental, physical or dietary issues.
Encouraging Seniors to Share Memories and Stories
Seniors with memory issues may have trouble remembering recent events, but they’re often able to recall stories from the past. Break out family albums, videos and music to help stimulate their memory and encourage them to share the holiday stories and experiences they remember.
Creating New Traditions That Seniors Can Participate In
Consider adding something new to your celebrations – activities that will be easy for your older loved ones to participate in, such as baking, decorating, holiday crafts or driving through neighborhoods to see the holiday lights.
Supporting Grieving Seniors During the Holidays
The holidays often bring back memories of family members and friends who have passed away. Understand that, while it’s a festive time, your aging loved ones may also be experiencing feelings of grief and sadness.
Maintaining a Healthy Routine: Diet, Alcohol, and Medications
Holiday celebrations can be chaotic, but try to keep your older loved ones on their regular meal and medication schedule. Make sure everyone is aware of dietary restrictions and limit alcohol intake, as it can affect balance, mobility and some medications.
Long-Distance Celebrations: Staying Connected Virtually
If travel challenges or other circumstances keep you from being with your aging loved ones, look for other ways to celebrate with them – such as FaceTime or Zoom.
Conclusion: Making the Holidays Joyful for Every Family Member
“While the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year for most of us, it can be just the opposite for seniors,” Goetz said. “Taking a few, simple steps now will help you overcome some of the challenges, so family members of all ages can have a great time.”
To learn about HCAN services designed to help seniors age safely in their homes, visit hcanthrive.com or call your local HCAN-supported office.