With Christmas nearly upon us and New Year’s Eve close behind, now is one of the busiest times of the year for families. The holidays are also a common time for depression, especially among the elderly. Whether you are hosting Christmas dinner or heading to a relative’s house to ring in the New Year, remember to include everyone in the celebrations, especially your older family members.
Include Some of Their Favorite Activities
One of the best parts of the holidays is getting to participate in all of your favorite seasonal traditions. And one of the best things you can do for an elderly relative is to make time for their favorite traditions. Whether you decide to make Christmas cookies together or go for a drive around town to see all the lights, the time you spend together will mean a lot to the senior in your life. Bring your kids along, sharing stories and Christmas crafts they made at school for an afternoon or evening everyone will enjoy.
Make Travel Comfortable
Another important part of including your senior relatives in the holiday festivities is ensuring they have safe travel plans. Reduced mobility can be a tough part of aging, so offer to pick up your older relatives on the way to holiday functions, helping them to navigate icy steps and get settled inside. While this may not seem like a big task, it will help give your older relative the opportunity to enjoy this festive season with family and friends.
Take Time to Rest
In between the hustle and bustle of family activities, spend some quiet time with your older relatives, giving them time to relax and enjoy the slower pace. Whether you eat a meal together, play a game of cards or just sit and watch some TV, this quiet time away from the parties and crowds of the season will give you the chance to really catch up while recharging for the rest of the family fun.
Happy Holidays from BEK Medical! We hope you have a safe and happy season with your loved ones.
