Best Holiday Activities for Elder Loved Ones

Many families love the holidays. It’s a time of year when we are together, enjoying one another’s company. The holidays are a great time to see and include a senior loved one with holiday activities and traditions. While planning your visits, make sure you have prepared for any senior care needs an elder loved one has. This preparation is an essential part of planning for senior or disabled holiday guests and something that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Even if your older loved one has physical or cognitive limitations that require senior care services, there are plenty of activities they can take part in. Here are some holiday activities a senior loved one can be a part of – there’s no reason for them to miss out on the fun of the season.

Make a holiday wreath:

These are simple and can be done at home. You can buy a fake wreath at a craft store or decorate an evergreen one. They’re a great symbol of the holiday and you can use anything from candy canes, to ribbons to ornaments. The sky’s the limit.

Decorate the house:

Think festive, such as holly leaves, evergreen trees, snowmen, wreaths and ornaments. You can also make snowflakes out of paper and put up lights outside. If your older family member is homebound, this is a great activity to do with a home caregiver.

Have a holiday song sing-along:

Who doesn’t like to belt out the holiday classics? There’s nothing more fun than getting together and singing your favorite holiday songs. It’s a social activity that just about anyone can join in on. Participating in activities like sing-alongs is important for seniors so they can feel like a part of a community and share a personal connection with those around them.

Go on a holiday lights tour:

People take pride in their home’s holiday light displays for others to enjoy. If your senior loved one is physically impaired, get in the car and drive around town to see the holiday light displays in your community. It’s an easy way to enjoy some of the festivities, especially if walking is a challenge.

Tower Hill Botanic Garden Night Lights (ticket needed), Lancaster Celebration of Lights (ticket needed) and Santos Family Holiday Lights Show synchronized to music playing on 105.3 FM are some of our favorite holiday lighting displays in the Worcester area.

Host a holiday movie night:

Whether a classic or a new release there is no shortage of movies to watch. Getting together with family to view one of these is a great way for seniors to get in the holiday spirit. Be sure to provide some yummy snacks and comfy blankets.

We hope you get a chance to enjoy some of the fun holiday activities listed above that you can do with your senior loved ones to celebrate the holiday season safely. However, a few of these activities may be difficult for some seniors to do without assistance as they may be at a stage where they require some form of everyday help.

The Griswold Home Care Worcester office has been helping the elderly and disabled in communities like Shrewsbury, Northborough, Westborough and the surrounding area since 2001. Our caregivers are carefully screened and receive continuing education modules so they can provide the most comprehensive home care services available.

If you would like to talk to find out how Griswold Home Care can help you and your family enjoy holiday time with your senior loved ones, give us a call at (508) 917-6649. We’ll be happy to discuss how you and your cherished elderly family members can enjoy some festive fun together.