After years of spending holidays together, it’s good to think of something different to do for Christmas with your aging parent. As you get excited about having this special day together, consider planning one of the following activities to strengthen your bond.
Start a New Tradition
Families often have traditions they enjoy participating in during this time of year, but it may be time to throw something new into the mix. Over the years, your parent may have wanted to try something new for the holidays but never got a chance to do it. Ask your loved one if there are traditions he or she would like to initiate. For example, you could sing carols before the family dinner or have the oldest member of the family pass out presents. Knowing he or she has started something new may give your loved one a sense of purpose in the family.
Older adults may need more than just a sense of purpose to enjoy better overall health. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Carmichael home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Do Something Kind for Others
People often contribute to charities in the weeks leading up to Christmas, but there is a sharp drop off when the holidays are over. Talk to your loved one about how you could both help someone in need this year. Whether your parent chooses to write letters to troops overseas or just wants to quietly knit a blanket for someone without a home, he or she may enjoy doing something nice for others.
Make a Gingerbread House with the Grandkids
At family events, the different generations in a family sometimes have difficulty interacting. Make things easy by bringing the materials for a gingerbread house to your family gathering. Many seniors love helping their grandkids put together a gingerbread house, and you’ll enjoy watching all of the members of your family bond.
Some seniors need help carrying out simple activities. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Carmichael seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
Play with a New Gadget
When you were a kid, you and your parent might have spent hours together on Christmas morning putting together model cars and playing video games. Now, you can recreate that same type of activity by helping your loved one figure out how to use his or her new gifts. For instance, you could head into the kitchen and try out a recipe in the new bread machine or microwave. Alternatively, you could set up your parent’s automated home lighting system and take turns switching things on and off using an app. Either way, you’ll both accomplish a goal and enjoy some fun.
Revisit Your Family’s Christmas Past
There’s no time like Christmas for revisiting memories. Pull out a few photos to get your loved one talking about his or her favorite moments from years gone by. Then, consider starting a new album with pictures from this year that you can continue to add to each season.
Older adults who are living with serious health issues may find it difficult to enjoy the holiday season. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior care Carmichael, California, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. To create a customized in-home care plan for your aging parent, give us a call at (916) 485-4663 today.