With Thanksgiving over and Hanukkah and Christmas right around the corner, it’s time to start searching for presents, finalizing travel plans, and making time for the ones we love. This is a time for celebration and love, so if you know someone in an assisted living facility, help them get into the holiday spirit. Scroll down to learn a little more about how seniors celebrate the holidays in an assisted living facility, and use our tips to show your loved ones how much you care.
Celebrating Holidays in an Assisted Living Facility
Celebrating holidays in an assisted living facility can be a lot of fun. Most retirement communities decorate the facility for the holidays and will serve special, holiday-themed meals. Plus, there might be special events and activities like movie showings, craft time (to make personalized decorations), and maybe even musical performances. Your retirement community should also offer transportation to shopping centers or perhaps a small holiday store on-site so that residents can purchase gifts for their loved ones.
Although it’s wonderful that residents can enjoy the holiday season with their friends in the retirement community, the holidays are a time to be with all the ones we love. So if your loved one is in an assisted living facility, consider using the following tips to ensure that they have a very happy holiday:
TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
- VISIT. Gifts can be lovely, but sometimes the most important gift you can give is time. Make time for your loved ones this holiday season. Visit often and invite others to join you (especially those who are rarely in town, or usually too busy to visit). Cherish the time you have together.
- DECORATE. Although the facility will likely be decorated, your loved one’s apartment may be bare of holiday cheer. If they’re interested, decorate their room with lights, garland, and maybe even a little Christmas tree or menorah. Put on festive music, bring along some sweet treats, and make this a new tradition!
- ENCOURAGE. Encourage your loved one to join in on festive activities and outings. During this season of giving, it shouldn’t be hard to make new friends.
- CELEBRATE. How does your loved one most like to celebrate the holiday season? If you can, try to help them celebrate with their favorite traditions. You could give them a CD of their favorite holiday songs or DVDs, bring them their favorite foods (especially if they prefer a special family recipe or a certain store’s offerings), or maybe sit down with them and look through an old photo album. Share your favorite memories of the holidays.
Celebrating the holiday season in a retirement community can be a lot of fun, especially if family and friends are willing to help out.
Merry Christmas!
If you’re looking for a senior living facility in the Midwest, be sure to check out Hearthside Senior Living Place. Our eight senior living facilities are located in Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee. If you would like to take a tour of one of our facilities, please click here.