The holidays can leave seniors feeling alone or sad.
While many of us hustle and bustle around, seniors are often dealing with the memories of holidays past with loved ones that are no longer around. We encourage families to spend Thanksgiving connecting on a deeper level with their senior loved one. Do not let your elderly loved one just sit in a chair! Below are a list of activities that encourage bonding.
- Watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Ask Them To Help You Cook
- Bring Out The Photo Albums
- Write Down Family History
- Watch Family Videos
- Ask About Old Family Recipes
- Take New Family Photos
- Watch The Football Game
- Play Cards
- Make Thanksgiving Themed Crafts
- Ask About A Time In Their Life You Don’t Know About
- Introduce Helpful or New Technology
- Make Christmas Wishlists with Grandkids or Great-Grandkids
- Listen to Music They Enjoy
Connecting deeply benefits everyone involved. Make this holiday count and take time to make new special memories with your loved one. Every family has different dynamics and struggles. Pick activities that create connection, peace, and keep idle hands busy. Planned activities can be a great way to keep everyone in a positive mood. Don’t forget, aging loved ones may need time for rest during Thanksgiving day when there are many guests. One of the activities on your list can be a couple of hours where your aging loved one naps and everyone else clears out of the house for a short while. This can be a great opportunity for the host(ess) to regroup and keep everyone at peace.
The holidays are also a great time to asses whether your aging loved one needs help around their home or with basic hygiene. If you are wondering if it may be time for home care for a loved one, just give us call!
