For many of our seniors, the magic of Christmas has nothing to do with presents, but more with having loved ones present.
If you find your loved one is having difficulty participating in the celebrations or you are unable to take them out, bring the celebrations to them. Traditions change as time goes on, but you can also create new ones this season. Talk together about the feelings they are having, as them knowing that someone is listening can help.
If your family member is in a facility, speak with the staff regarding how you can help create a new special memory. They usually have a space set aside such as a private dining room or library so families can have private gatherings. Dad’s holiday “job” may have been to cook the turkey or set the table while Mom does the turnip. The many years of previous memories come back, but now things are different and the transition can be tough for the family member as the traditions now carry on to us as a younger generation.
If you live away from your aging loved one(s), are concerned about them this holiday season or unable to visit as much as you’d like, hiring a caregiver may be something to consider.
At Alert Best Nursing & Home Care, our client’s do become our family, as we are able to personalize care to individual needs and match with the appropriate caregiver no matter where “home” is, whenever you need 24/7.
We also continue to tackle senior isolation, no matter the time of year- so if you know of a senior that needs a friendly visit, please let us know, as we know the holiday's can be tough.