For most of us, the holiday season is a magical time of year. It’s an annual spot on the calendar that is full of opportunities to create cherished memories with loved ones. For older adults, enjoying the holidays can be a little challenging at times. This is especially true for those who live on their own and don’t have access to seeing their friends and family. As a caregiver, it’s important to create a connection to the senior in your care.
Are you looking for some fun and heartwarming ideas to entertain and engage your elderly loved one this holiday season?
Host a holiday crafting session.
Crafting is a fantastic way to get creative and make meaningful keepsakes. Try activities such as decorating ornaments. Use clear plastic or ceramic ornaments that your loved one can fill or paint. Why not make some holiday cards too? Provide your elderly loved one with some colourful paper, stamps and stickers to create cards for family and friends. Finally, give wreath-making a try. Assemble them with artificial greenery, ribbons and other festive accents.
Our clients remind us that craft making can help seniors to cope with any stress the holiday season may bring. “Studies have shown a positive correlation between creativity and increased levels of happiness, hand-eye coordination, cognitive abilities, and sense of pride.
Bake some holiday treats.
The sweet smell of baked goods and the holiday season go hand in hand, don’t they? Freshly baked cookies and favorite holiday pies offer aromas that can instantly evoke fond memories. Baking with older adults is a sensory-rich activity. It can engage them in a very meaningful way. Be sure to choose simple recipes with clear steps. Involve your loved one in such tasks as mixing, decorating or taste-testing. Opt for nostalgic recipes that have sentimental value.
“Baking can have an effect of calm and can be great for stress and anxiety management,” notes Bria Communities, “Because of this, it is sometimes used as a form of therapy for patients with dementia. The act of baking (for example, kneading dough with your hands) can calm patients when they’re stressed. It is also sometimes used as a way to encourage patients who don’t have much of an appetite to eat more.”
Take a trip down memory lane.
Looking through an old photo album is an excellent activity for all involved. For seniors, it both invokes warm feelings of nostalgia and promotes cognitive function. The holidays, of course, are a great time to reflect on fond memories. Bring out photo albums, home videos or even digital slideshows to spark conversations and storytelling. This activity can help seniors feel connected to their pasts while stimulating their minds.
As Australia’s Golden Carers points out, “sharing and recollecting memories with seniors helps them affirm who they are. Reminiscing is a stimulating activity that promotes social interaction.”
Contact an Angel for companion care.
Senior Homecare by Angels is happy to offer Companion Care to your elderly loved one all throughout the holiday season and beyond! A carefully selected, certified caregiver (an “Angel”) can visit your older family member three to four times a week for three to four-hour visits. In addition to keeping the senior in your life engaged and entertained, our Angel can also help with some light housekeeping, bed sheet changes and healthy meal preparation.
To learn more, please don’t hesitate to call us at 403-862-0129 or if outside of Calgary, toll-free at 1-877-209-6142. You may also visit our Contact Us page to complete and submit a simple contact form!