For many seniors, the holidays can be lonely. Although assisted living facilities do their best to maintain the holiday spirit, they are not as enjoyable as spending time with loved ones at home. It is not always possible to bring your loved ones home for the holidays.
This is especially true if they are in skilled nursing facilities. You will need to find other ways to make the holiday enjoyable and stress-free. Although these ideas might not be the best solution, they can help alleviate the holiday stress and remind seniors that you are still thinking of them.
Spending The Holidays In Assisted Living
Keep it Positive
Holidays can be depressing for seniors, and many people find it difficult to enjoy them. It can serve as a reminder of who isn’t there anymore to celebrate and how they cannot attend the gatherings. Keep things positive by only sharing happy memories and not too much about holiday plans. Remind them that they are an important part of your family and life. Be grateful for any gifts they give you.
Visit
Bring the Christmas party to your seniors if they are unable to attend in your home. Many nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Myrtle Beach do have rooms that can be used for events. You may find the room is already decorated for Christmas.
If it is not, bring a tree and decorations to make it feel like Christmas at your home. If your loved one is struggling to get through the holidays, a big family gathering may be what they need. This is the ideal opportunity to host a white elephant or secret Santa gift exchange. The joy of seeing so many people open presents will bring joy to your senior loved one.
Organize an Event
It doesn’t matter if you can’t travel and visit your loved one who is living in an assisted living home. There are still things you can do to brighten their holiday season. You can also work with your local school to arrange for a choir to visit your loved one’s home to sing carols, or a preschool to visit and do holiday crafts and arts.
Send a gift package
If arranging an event might not be possible, there are still ways to let seniors know that you care. To bring joy to the holidays, create a care package that includes all kinds of items. Any goodies will be appreciated, but homemade items can bring back happy memories of holiday baking. You don’t need to limit your holiday cheer to just food.
Help the staff
Supporting the staff who cares for your loved one during the holidays is a great way to help them. These caregivers work in partnership with the facility to make the holiday enjoyable and joyful for your loved one. While there may not be much you can do to help them, you can show your appreciation for the care they provide. You can send them a gift card, a care package, or a letter to let them know that you appreciate their efforts.
Make them feel loved
Seniors often reflect on what they don’t have and what they do have. Make them feel loved, and help them be present at the moment. You can organize a photo shoot in which all members of the family, not only the immediate family, but also extended family, and send the photos to your senior.
They will be happy to see the pictures, and if they are able to come to visit you, it will make their day even brighter. Send them a Christmas letter that highlights only the positive aspects of the year. You can include things such as graduations and births, but leave out the more serious parts.
Many people living in skilled nursing homes and assisted living communities are all too familiar with Christmas cards as reminders of loved ones who have died and other sad events. Add a personal touch to the end of your letter so that your loved one understands that you are thinking of them and not just sending a generic message like everyone else.
The True Meaning of Holidays
It is easy to get distracted by the holiday hustle and bustle as life moves in many directions. Seniors we care for have little time to reflect and think about the good and bad aspects of the holiday season. It is important to take a moment to think about them during this hectic time. They can benefit from our support and we can learn from them about the true meaning and significance of Christmas.
Contact Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest now if you have questions or concerns about seniors living in assisted living facilities for the first time.
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Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/