The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way most of us live. With the holidays just around the corner, you are probably wondering what your holiday plans will entail. There are many socially distant holiday ideas and ways you can include your senior loved one while keeping their health as a top priority.
No one wants to make their senior loved ones feel excluded, especially during this time of year. Holiday traditions help family members share memories, make memories, and keep a close bond.
While holiday plans may be restricted, this doesn’t mean you can’t engage with one another and create lasting memories. Here are some ways to keep the family celebration together, but apart.
Using the Tools of Technology
With the use of technology, you can spend time with your senior loved one anytime or anywhere. Meaningful memories are being made virtually every day and helping seniors feel included and loved by the whole family.
Video calls with loved ones are popular because they’re a great way to stay connected. You can spend time together online doing the things you love, from any location. If you and your senior loved one enjoy movies, schedule a time to watch your favorite movie together through a viewing party using Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, or any other video calling platform.
The options are endless because it’s so simple to use. Set up times to bake together, eat meals together, read stories, decorate your homes, or work on art projects involving other family and friends. Smartphones and tablets have video call apps, also making it possible for you to take your senior loved one on a virtual trip to the park, museum, or somewhere else fun while they remain safe and comfortable.
Share Simple Socially Distant Holiday Activities
Doing Arts & Crafts
Families can enjoy creating holiday-themed arts and crafts with one another and sharing their creations. Even if you can’t create something with your loved one in person, you can make a special gift to share with them.
Send arts and crafts supplies to them and make the crafts together on a video call or share pictures with each other of your finished creations.
At an assisted living community, such as The Kensington Falls Church, seniors have the opportunity to create holiday-themed arts and crafts that they can use to brighten up their space or send to family and friends.
Playing Games
Games are a great way to socialize and spend time with friends and family. You can play popular games such as Guess Who, Checkers, Pictionary, Bingo, Scattergories, and more using the Zoom platform.
There are also several card games to choose from that you can play virtually together and that range in difficulty, such as Go Fish, Crazy Eights, and Euchre.
Get a group of family members together virtually to play bingo. There are many holiday templates that you can find online to share with your senior loved one and the group.
For those who don’t enjoy board games or cards, puzzles are another great choice. Holiday-themed puzzles make a great gift and fun activity to do together over a video call.
Baking and Decorating
Holidays are a time of sweets and treats, with baking as a common tradition among families and friends.
If you are unable to bake with your loved one this year, it may be exciting to ask them for their favorite recipes, recreate them, and send the treats their way. What is sweeter than continuing the same pie or cookie recipe that has been passed down generation after generation?
Seniors may also enjoy baking and decorating cookies and cupcakes. It allows them to be part of the festivities in a simple way. If you don’t live with your loved one, send them cookies that need to be decorated and provide the frosting and sprinkles. They can enjoy the sweets themselves, share with others, or send their grandchildren personalized cookies.
If you can see your senior loved one in person, but are limiting their interactions with others, have them help as you decorate the house for the holidays. Then ask friends and family to decorate outside of their houses so that you can drive by with your senior loved one to experience their holiday spirit from a safe distance. Take this time to drive through neighborhoods with your senior loved one as well, allowing them to see and feel the magic of the holiday season.
Send the Love
Who doesn’t love receiving a surprise gift? Sending a senior loved one something special is a great way to warm their heart for the holidays.
Everyone has a favorite candy, food, movie, or book. Create a personalized care package of your senior’s favorite things. Thoughtful gifts show the ones you love that you pay attention to their needs and interests.
Sending letters is almost a lost art these days, but they mean even more this year when getting together in person is difficult. By picking out or making a holiday card or writing a letter, you can show your senior loved one that you are thinking about them. If they want to join in on the fun, give them the supplies and encourage them to write or make their own cards and letters to send.
The Kensington Falls Church Cares
At The Kensington Falls Church, we want our residents to have an active social life. This helps them stay strong and independent mentally and emotionally. Socializing and participating in activities enhances their sense of worth.
We offer activities seven days a week, allowing residents to make memories and enrich their daily lives, while also following recommended COVID-19 protocol and implementing appropriate safety measures in the community.
This holiday season may be more complicated than past ones, but it can still be just as meaningful and memorable.
If you have any questions about our assisted living community and how we help our residents smile, reach out to us today.
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Recommended Additional Reading:
- Caregiver Tips: Minimizing the Stress of Sundowning Syndrome
- The Tough Conversation of Moving to Assisted Living
- Caring for Someone with Dementia: Things to Know
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