The end-of-year festivities can be a cheerful time filled with joy. The lights, music, decorations, and most importantly, the worship of our dear Savior’s birth. It can all make for an incredible time of year for families to join and spend quality time together. In some cases, though, the season’s greetings aren’t always filled with holiday cheer. For many seniors, it can be a time of sadness, especially in those who are adapting to major life or environment changes.
At Regency Retirement Village Morristown, we encourage our occupants to gather in fellowship with their fellow Regency neighbors to maintain a sense of camaraderie during the holiday season. Doing so will help avoid the loneliness that can often follow isolated seniors. Assisted Living and Memory Care residents take part in scheduled activities during the holidays, while also enjoying special holiday dinners and trips.
Within our senior living community, Christmastime here at Regency is filled with laughter and carolers in the air. It is not uncommon for musical entertainers or choirs to visit us year-round, especially during this merry time of year.
To spark a little extra holiday cheer, our residents are encouraged to make holiday cards and bake treats, watch winter-themed films, and gather together to praise our Lord and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
Is your senior in need of some extra holiday cheer? With a few simple steps, you can give them the happiest of holidays by following these 5 do’s and don’ts for anxiety reducers.
Don’t overspend.If your senior is feeling the winter blues this Christmas, they may feel they have little to offer the family. This could be due to a limited budget. In lieu gift swapping and stressful holiday shopping, we recommend inexpensive ways to enjoy Christmas together. Make a new tradition – instead of buying gifts, assemble a scrapbook, make homemade ornaments, and decorate the tree. These are the memories that last, not a big pile of unnecessary gifts.
Do share memories. Reminiscing is a great activity for the family to connect with one another, especially during holidays. Since the best thing about memories is sharing them, work together to record a family story on paper, video, or audiotape. While sharing memories, you’re likely to make new memories.
Don’t have high expectations.Perhaps, you’re hoping the holidays will be the same as they have been in previous years. During the holiday season, there are times that this is not possible with aging families. If you can’t get together on Christmas Day, get together when it works for everyone’s schedule and cherish the time spent with them.
Do be careful. For seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, families should be careful to avoid inducing stress and anxiety that can imprint on the senior. Incorporate family traditions such as singing Christmas carols or baking an old family recipe. Doing something familiar can help to reduce stress in Memory Care seniors. Remember, it is important to take it slow. Overstimulating seniors can cause disorientation in those with dementia.
Do incorporate everyone.
During this special time of year, we invite close friends and family to join us in for a celebration of the holidays at one of our open house events. We encourage our residents and their families to enjoy the company of family this Christmas. After All, the best gift is the time spent together.
Whatever festivities this season brings, Regency Retirement Village is honored to celebrate these special times with you and your family.