5 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with Seniors During the Pandemic

Think of the most perfect holiday season you are able to envision. While that image will vary a little for every one of us, it may include gifts, lights, good food, and traditions passed down through the generations. Yet what most definitely holds true for all of us is the enjoyment in spending time with the people we love.

Sadly, the COVID-19 crisis has, admittedly, caused us all to reconsider best ways to safely take pleasure in the holidays with seniors we love. With a little bit of creativity and ingenuity, however, it is possible to bridge the gap and make new memories with the seniors in your life, even if you can’t be together with them in person this year.

Our aging care professionals have gathered a variety of suggestions to get you started:

• Modify traditions. Think through the traditions that mean the most to you and your family, and how you are able to modify them in order to keep everyone safe. For example, if the family typically gets together each year to bake cookies, you can use Zoom or a similar platform to stay connected while making cookies from home. Select a favorite recipe, have the family sign in at a specific time, and bake away while chatting and listening to some holiday music.
• Don’t do away with decorating. Seniors who live alone usually look forward to having loved ones, specifically grandchildren, visit to help with holiday decorating. Without in-person visits, seniors may not be interested in decorating. Again, using a software program like Zoom, schedule for a time for everybody to get together online and share the stories behind treasured decorations.
• Enjoy the great outdoors. If weather allows, plan short visits with seniors outside, safely socially distant and with face coverings. String lights on bushes around the yard and decorate the front porch. In case of snow, have the grandchildren build a snow fort or engage in a snowball fight while your older loved ones watch from the window.
• Send smiles. Pictures, cards, letters, telephone calls, small gifts, etc. will all mean so much to older adults who are missing time with loved ones. Coordinate with members of the family to take turns reaching out regularly in ways similar to this so your older loved ones are inundated with expressions of love.
• Share your feelings. There is nothing quite as heartwarming as hearing from someone you love about the impact you’ve made on his or her life. Take this time to express your gratitude to the seniors you love for the difference they have made in your life, and be specific: “Dad, your patience with me when I was a teen taught me what unconditional love looks like, and thanks to you, I am a more patient person with my own kids.”

At Harmony Home Health & Hospice, the leaders in home nursing care in Ogden and surrounding areas, our caregivers are trained and experienced in enhancing quality of life for older adults at home, and follow stringent safety protocols for every person’s protection. Contact us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) to discover how we can help make the holidays with seniors you love the very best they can be with our customized home health care services.