The Christmas season is always special, and seniors often find they have more time on their hands than they might expect. Since seniors are often past the point of setting up for a house filled with children, they may find they need to plan other activities that help them celebrate the holiday. Try including one or several of these activities in your aging loved one’s yuletide plans to create a picture-perfect holiday.
1. Create Birdseed Ornaments
Making ornaments is an enjoyable activity that can keep your loved one’s hands busy. Birdseed ornaments are a fun twist on the usual Christmas tree ornaments. Whether your loved one makes an ornament out of pine cones and peanut butter or tries a new recipe, he or she will enjoy a sense of accomplishment watching the birds find their winter surprises.
2. Go Telephone Caroling
Your loved one may not be able to go walking through the neighborhood after dark to surprise the neighbors with favorite holiday songs, but he or she can do the next best thing by calling friends on the phone and singing Christmas tunes. Have your loved one put together a list of people to surprise, then have him or her start singing as soon as the other person answers. Your loved one will get a nice boost of energy from socializing while brightening up someone’s day.
3. Enjoy a Holiday Light Tour
Going on a holiday drive is another activity that’s ideal for seniors with limited mobility. Your loved one doesn’t have to do anything but sit back and enjoy the view from the passenger seat. You can make the drive extra special by bringing along a companion or planning a little surprise along the way, such as stopping at the local coffee shop for a warm drink and a sweet treat.
If your loved one needs assistance with mobility, hiring a professional caregiver can be the ideal solution. Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing a serious illness and require more extensive live-in care. Philadelphia seniors can count on Home Care Assistance to provide the in-home care they need and deserve.
4. Volunteer at a Local Organization
Seniors sometimes experience seasonal depression because they miss people they’ve lost or feel overlooked during the holidays. Volunteering gives your loved one somewhere to go during the Christmas season where he or she will feel needed. Your loved one can feed people holiday meals or decorate charity gift bags at his or her church. Either way, he or she will develop a sense of purpose that lasts long after the holidays.
5. Prepare a Favorite Holiday Recipe
Your loved one may enjoy making a traditional recipe for the Christmas holiday. From sugar cookies to pies and other delightful goodies, just about every senior has a signature treat he or she likes to make. Preparing a recipe helps your loved one strengthen his or her cognitive abilities while following the procedures. Your loved one may also be more likely to eat the holiday meal when he or she has a favorite food to look forward to eating.
Some aging adults have difficulty cooking and performing other activities of daily life safely, but help is available. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality homecare. Trust Home Care Assistance to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
6. Decorate a Gingerbread House
This activity is one your loved one can do with the grandchildren to create lasting memories. Since it can be done on a tabletop, your loved one can participate even if he or she has a health condition or mobility limitations. Decorating a gingerbread house helps your loved one enjoy a chance for self-expression, and he or she will love bonding with the rest of the family.
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 Philadelphia 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. If your loved one needs assistance with the challenges of aging, reach out to one of our knowledgeable, compassionate Care Managers today at (215) 645-4663.