As we grow older, the holiday season can become challenging for a variety of reasons: memories of loved ones lost, chronic health conditions, increased difficulty with mobility and others. And as a result, many times seniors may feel left out, isolated and saddened, rather than joyful, merry and bright.
Families can help their older loved ones enjoy the holidays with a little pre-thought and planning of activities that all ages can participate in together. Our Arizona home health care team at Nightingale Homecare offers the following ideas:
- Recipe sharing. Make a day out of poring through recipes that have been a big part of the person’s life, and add in some new ones you’d all like to try. Create a simple recipe book together, with the children adding their own touches through illustrations, stickers, etc. Once completed, get together on a regular basis to create and enjoy one of the recipes together.
- Decorating. The options are truly limitless when it comes to holiday decorating. Bring a bag full of glitter, pom poms, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, paint, etc. and let everyone get creative! Or simply pick up a couple of pre-made gingerbread house kits complete with frosting and candies for a guaranteed fun afternoon for all ages. It’s also a great idea to pull out and look through decorations the older adult has collected over the years, and reminisce over the stories associated with each.
- Helping another. Nothing feels better than helping someone in need, and the holidays provide the perfect opportunity to work together as a family to make a difference in a way that’s near and dear to your hearts. Serve at a homeless shelter, pick out gifts for children in need, bake dog treats and bring them to a local animal shelter, visit a local nursing home to sing holiday songs, fill stockings with small treats and hygiene items for veterans, etc.
At Nightingale Homecare, we love helping seniors participate in the fun of the holiday season, and can help in a variety of ways! Our Arizona home health caregivers provide friendly companionship, escorted transportation to fun outings and events, encouragement to be as involved as possible in any holiday activities that spark interest, and much more, customized to each person’s individual needs.
Call us any time at (602) 504-1555 to learn more about our licensed, certified, RN-managed in-home care services for seniors. We’ve been serving seniors throughout Maricopa County and the greater Phoenix area since 1994 and would love to help your senior loved one live life to the fullest as well – throughout the holiday season and into the new year as well!
