The holiday season is one of the best times of the year. It’s filled with family traditions. There are parties and dinners for family and friends. Lots of traditional foods are offered, including desserts and snacks. If you have children, there is a good chance that you will be attending their school performance. There are a lot of activities, fun, and excitement. So, how do Grandpa and Grandma fit into all this merry chaos?
The trick is to keep them involved but not overwhelmed. Of course, every senior is different and there can even be differences with your Grandpa and Grandma, either physically or mentally. Where they live can make a difference.
If they are still in their own home, they may want to continue in the role of providing the family feast. If they are living in a care facility, they may feel out of the loop and removed from their traditional role. There are ways for you to include them in the holiday fun while keeping them healthy physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
1. Flu Shot. If your senior family member did not get their flu shot, you still have time. It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to be effective. This is especially important for your senior’s health. It never fails when a large group gets together that someone in the group is just getting over something or just starting to feel like they might be coming down with something. Don’t expose your seniors to the flu without protection.
2. Short Outings. Some seniors find it stressful to commit to an all-day activity. Make plans to do things that only take a couple of hours. Go to a nice restaurant and enjoy a hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream. Take your seniors for an evening car ride to see the homes and yards decorated for the holidays.
3. Bake Cookies. Make the traditional cookies that your family always looks forward to. You could do a marathon bake or plan several bake days and make a different favorite each time. Plan this for the early part of the holiday season and put a mix of the cookies in the freezer. Now they can serve a holiday treat when someone comes to visit. If your senior is in a care facility, prebake the cookies. Bring them to the facility and decorate them with your senior. If they receive home health care, the caregiver may enjoy this activity.
4. Performing Arts. This is the season for all sorts of holiday productions. Your senior may love to see a professional performance of the Nutcracker Ballet or the play A Christmas Carol. How about going to the Christmas parade? Or, you could just spend an evening with them watching Christmas movies on TV and snacking on chocolate-covered pretzels.
As the big day approaches, talk to Grandma and Grandpa. If they are hosting the extended family dinner, find out if they still want to do this or if they are ready to “pass the baton.” Perhaps they will be ready to just attend the celebration, rather than provide it. If they still want to host the day, perhaps they will be happy to have everyone bring part of the meal. Or, maybe, if you offer to come over the day before to help, they will accept the offer and it will lessen the stress. Here are some senior health tips for “The Day.”
5. Church. For most seniors, attending a religious service is a major part of most holidays. Find out if your seniors would like to continue that tradition. It may be very important to them.
6. Safety. If you live in a cold climate, make sure the sidewalks and the driveway are shoveled of snow and salted to prevent ice forming. You don’t want a fall to occur. Make sure your house is free of obstacles that could make it difficult for your senior to walk freely, especially if they use an assistive device like a cane or a walker. Remove any throw rugs that could pose a tripping hazard.
7. Alcohol. If you are serving alcoholic beverages, be watchful of your senior. Some medications can interact with the medicine they take and cause side effects. Always have a non-alcoholic alternative available.
8. Diet. If your senior is on a diabetic diet or a salt-free diet, do not encourage them to cheat. It could have serious consequences. Provide them with a salt-free version of the same food everyone else has if possible. If your diabetic senior just has to have a slice of pumpkin pie, make it as small as possible and serve it with a sugar-free topping. Better yet, protect your senior’s health and have a diabetic–friendly alternative.
9. Rest. Provide the option of taking a break in a quiet bedroom. Even if they don’t sleep, the quiet may be welcome. Most seniors live alone, and they are used to quiet. A room full of people all talking to each other and multiple conversations going on at the same time may be overwhelming. Add children playing or crying, along with Christmas music playing in the background, and a quiet room may be a welcome break.
Enjoy a wonderful holiday season with your family.
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