We all would like to make Christmas a little special for our senior family member, but fight the urge to make elaborate plans. In fact it is always better to keep it simple. This is the advice from Sarah James of Apex Care who are specialists in homecare for the elderly and people with learning disabilities. Most seniors are not only just set in their ways but draw a lot of comfort from their regular daily routines. You have to realise that sudden changes and interruptions can create undue stress, sometimes bringing worry instead of enjoyment. So, fight the urge to make elaborate plans and instead try to create activities around things that they normally do. With a bit of creative thinking you can all have a good time.
For instance, why not find out those special recipes that they associate with the holidays and create a cookbook to share among the family. As those special days approach you can get together and prepare a special meal together using their favourite recipes. It does not have to be the Christmas dinner itself, spread it out before and after.
Spend time with them organising the family photographs into an album, get stories and names and write them on the backs. Why not take some new photos to add to it. You know a album of photos can be a collection of treasured memories for an elderly family member, something they can look back at and share long after the holidays have finished.
It is not just children that enjoy setting up a Christmas tree, many families have decorations that have been handed down or have their own particular memory associated with them. Talk about those that have gone by and why wait just do it at Christmas? You can always use the excuse of checking everything is ready, to get out the tree and decorations and have a trial run!
Why not just take a short drive around the neighbourhood, or even a former neighbourhood if it is close enough and take a look at the holiday lights. If you intend to stop somewhere along the way then take a little time before hand to considered where there is suitable parking and if there are any accessibility factors to take into consideration.
Why not arrange an evening watching seasonal family films or home videos. What about playing some old boards games or vintage card games. There are often some for sale on Ebay.
If you find that you cannot be with your elderly loved ones during the holiday season, then try and encourage another family member or even a close friend to visit. Even a trusted homecare visitor can help you organise an activity or two, as we do with our own clients. You will be surprised how much it means to an elderly relative.
Apex Care are Based in: Highcliffe, Sherborne, Winchester and Portsmouth and provides the security of 24 hour support to help people remain in control of their lives. http://www.apexcare.org
