The festive season is a wonderful time, filled with love, excitement and Christmas cheer. However, for many people, including elderly people, it can feel challenging and lonely. Christmas is the perfect opportunity to bring cheer and show them how much they are loved and valued.
Read below to find out about some thoughtful ways to brighten an elderly loved one’s holiday season?
Visit and Spend Quality Time Together
To combat loneliness, one of the best gifts you can give is your presence. By visiting an elderly loved one, it reminds them how much you care for and appreciate them. Spend quality time speaking to them, reminiscing about happy memories, sharing a cup of tea or staying for dinner. You can also bring old photos to relive these cherished moments and help spark joy.
You can also invite your elderly loved ones to your home to spend more time together over the Christmas season.
Decorate Their Homes
Help your elderly loved one feel the festive spirit by decorating their home with them. Put up a Christmas tree, hang lights and add seasonal touches to brighten up their place. Try to involve them in the process as much as possible. This is a simple but meaningful way to involve your elderly loved ones in your celebrations.
If they live in a residential care home, check with staff to see what decorations are allowed.
Bake or Cook Together
Nothing says Christmas like the smell of freshly baked treats. Spend an afternoon with your elderly loved one baking their favourite cookies or preparing a festive meal together. This will help bring festive cheer, but also provides opportunities to bond and share stories from the past as well as create new memories.
Plan an Outing Together
If they are physically able, plan an outing to enjoy the festive atmosphere. You could take them to visit a local market, view local community Christmas festivities, or spend time shopping for Christmas gifts and decorations. These outings can help create new memories and provide a nice change of scenery for your elderly loved ones.
Ensure that they are dressed warmly when going outside and check that the outing is comfortable and accessible for them.
Organise a Video Call with the Family
If you are unable to gather in person, setting up a video call with the family is a great way to make a lonely elderly loved one feel more cheerful. Seeing all of your faces and hearing your warm wishes can help make a huge difference in their day and brighten their mood. It will also let them know that you are thinking of them, even if you are unable to visit.
Christmas is all about love, family and kindness. Even small gestures can help make a world of difference to an elderly loved one who may feel isolated. Through spending quality time and organising activities together, you can show them how much you care for and love them and make them happier this Christmas.
At Little Croft Care Home, we are committed to providing the highest level of care for our residents, ensuring they stay happy and healthy over the festive season.
If you’re concerned about an isolated or lonely elderly family member or would like to learn more about our care services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.