What to do when you are a senior living in assisted living? Even if you have to create new traditions, holidays in assisted living communities are still fun and festive.
If you bring the holiday spirit to older adults in assisted living in Myrtle Beach, they will feel included and loved. It’s essential to spend quality time with those you love.
We answer three top questions to help you celebrate in new ways.
Is it a good idea to bring a senior in assisted living to your home for a family event?
What can you do if an older adult doesn’t know what holidays are?
What holiday activities are good for assisted living?
1. Do I need to bring my mom home for the celebrations?
Visit the family home if your mom isn’t suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Talk to her before you make a decision. You may worry that she will become too tired or require help with personal care. Be sure to calmly explain how you can meet her needs. Remind her that her family is excited to see her, even if she feels shy or afraid she will be a burden at a party.
It may be difficult for your mom to leave her home if she has Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive impairments. You may find it easier to decide what is best for your mom if you have staff who are familiar with her. While some people with dementia enjoy celebrating, others find it challenging to adjust to changes in routines, loud noise, and crowds.
It might be a good idea to either have a mini-celebration or a regular visit to the assisted living facility if your mom gets agitated easily.
2. My Dad has dementia. He doesn’t seem aware that the holidays are coming this year. If I celebrate with him, will he even notice?
Even if dad isn’t interested in the world, he will still love spending time with his family. You might consider taking him out of the assisted living or memory care community. It all depends on his ability to go out. If he is not upset by the noise or activities, he will be happy to see you in the holiday spirit.
3. What activities can I do with an assisted living resident to celebrate the holidays?
A low-key approach to holidays for dementia sufferers may be better. Overstimulating holiday activities and busy decorations can cause confusion or agitation. Start with some simple decorations and smaller groups of people and then see how it goes. Depending on how visitors react, you can add or remove more decorations.
Seniors without cognitive impairment can participate in family celebrations by finding creative ways. Tell your senior adult when you will celebrate with them to assure them that they aren’t forgotten or abandoned.
These are some festive activities you can try:
- Decorate the room with them together. Get a mini tree and garland, draw a line on the wall in a tree shape, tape ornaments on it, decorate the room with decorative items, or hang a wreath at the door.
- Give them ideas and help them buy gifts for their family members, especially grandkids. Wrap them together
- Arrange a family trip and open presents together. It’s much more fun when everyone has gifts to open.
- Video chats can be set up for family members who live far from you so that they have virtual visitors
- You can accompany them to a holiday party or meal hosted at the assisted living community.
- You can sing along or listen to holiday songs with your partner.
- Enjoy a holiday movie
- You can make a holiday puzzle or a coloring page.
Call Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest now if you need help in finding the best assisted living facility in Myrtle Beach.
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Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/