Christmas is the time of year when you get to spend quality time with your loved ones. This can be especially important for aging family members who live in an assisted living home, as they may only get to see their family and friends sometimes. If you want to make the most out of your time with your loved ones this holiday season, consider these tips:
Prepare a Special Meal
Preparing a special meal is always a good idea when you spend time with your family. It’s also a wonderful way of spending Christmas with the aging family members in your life living in an assisted living home.
What should you consider? First, ensure enough team members are available to help prepare and serve the meal. Second, consider getting each resident involved in preparing this meal. This can help them feel more comfortable while eating with others, and they’ll also be able to eat some of their favorite foods!
Arrange a Christmas Tree
You should arrange a Christmas tree to make your loved one feel at home and comfortable. A tree can give them memories of Christmas and help them feel more connected to the holiday season. If you want to avoid getting them one of their own, it’s easy enough to find an artificial tree at almost any store or online retailer.
When decorating the tree, remember that these people are used to having some control over how they live their lives. Take into account that they may not be able to reach certain parts of the tree easily—and if they can, they may have trouble keeping track of all those ornaments! You don’t want your loved ones frustrated with Christmas decorations before December arrives!
Decorate Their Room
If your loved one’s assisted living home has a room they can decorate, there are plenty of ways to make it festive. Put up a Christmas tree in the corner and hang some lights on it and around other areas. Hang a wreath on the door and put a small nativity scene on their dresser or table so they can enjoy looking at it every day! Also, add some festive touches like miniature Santa Claus figurines, snowmen figurines, or anything else you think would work well in their space!
Plan Some Fun Activities
You can plan fun activities for your loved one and the other residents. You could organize a “let’s get together and sing carols” event or play games with them like bingo or cards. A few people in the home might be willing to help you make a snowman outside!
Watch a Holiday Movie Together
The Christmas season is the perfect time for a family movie night. You can choose a movie that everyone will enjoy, but make sure it’s appropriate for your audience. For example, if Grandma has trouble hearing or seeing clearly, you should avoid films with lots of action or loud sound effects.
Also, remember snacks! These little treats can help keep energy levels up and make the festivities more enjoyable for all involved—and they’ll be much appreciated by anyone who has difficulty chewing or swallowing food as they get older.
Conclusion
We’ve covered much ground in this post, and we hope you feel armed with some new ideas and inspiration for your next Christmas visit to an assisted living home. These tips are great for ensuring that your loved one feels special while protecting their safety and comfort.
