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Holidays with your Client, Family or Senior Friends

As the Holidays approach, A Better Solution In Home Care understands that at times it can be difficult to create a festive mood when we are caring for or have someone who is cognitively or medically impaired. Seniors in their homes need our help to make this season memorable and fun for them with activities that are simple to do and that will create a quality time this Holiday Season.

20 senior-friendly holiday activity ideas
15 activities for staying in

1. 1. Make a holiday wreath – these are fun and festive
   2. Decorate and fill stockings – try this cute stocking kit
   3. Make pomanders with oranges and cloves – like this
   4. Decorate the house – with ornaments and handmade or store-bought decorations
   5. Prompt kids to ask about “the olden days” so they can learn about their grandparents’ youth
   6. Play simple card games or board games
   7. Enjoy listening to your older adult’s favorite tunes
   8. Sing holiday songs together
   9. Have a family movie night with popcorn, extra pillows and warm blankets to cuddle under
   10. Enjoy tea or coffee together as a group
   11. Bake cookies
   12. Cook or prepare favorite holiday foods together
   13. Have a gift wrap party – don’t worry if things aren’t perfectly wrapped, it’s the fun that counts!
   14. Get your older adult’s help with holiday cards – writing, addressing or sealing envelopes
   15. Ask for their opinions or ideas while you’re shopping online for gifts

5 activities for going out

1. Stroll around the mall and admire the holiday decorations – go early to avoid the crowds
2. Take a family walk around the neighborhood or through a local park
3. Enjoy a delicious meal at a favorite restaurant
4. Watch a feel-good holiday movie or fun comedy in the theater
5. Take in a local play or musical

Pace or modify the activities as needed

Encourage older adults to join in the holiday festivities whenever possible but be careful not to overdo it.

Many of these activities are low-key and can be easily modified to fit your older adult’s energy level and abilities, but it’s still wise to be on the lookout for signs of fatigue and proactively suggest breaks or a mid-day nap.

If your older adult has Alzheimer’s or dementia, you may want to modify activities even further to avoid overstimulating or confusing them.

The Holidays should be fun for the whole family, remember to include your parents, grandparents or senior friends in whatever activities are suitable for them to do.