Helping Your Senior Loved Ones Enjoy the Holidays in Assisted Living

Do you have a senior parent or loved one who lives in an assisted living facility? You may worry about them as the holidays approach. After all, it can be a stressful and lonely time of year, especially for seniors who have lost spouses or family members recently. 

Brookfield Senior Living of Arkansas is dedicated to helping each of our residents feel a sense of community and belonging. During the holidays, we encourage our residents and their families to enjoy time together, either at our facility or in the homes of their loved ones. We also organize regular events throughout the holidays to ensure that each resident can make the most of the season with their neighbors and close friends in their community. 

If you’re concerned about your elderly loved one this holiday season, these tips will help you make their season bright. 

Spend Time Together

One of the most important gifts you can give an elderly loved one during the holidays is your presence. Loneliness can be pervasive and more noticeable during the holidays, since family and togetherness is such a big theme of the season. 

Make an extra visit to your loved one’s facility to help them decorate their apartment for the holidays. Enjoy a holiday dinner together in the community dining room. Plan a holiday shopping outing, and wrap gifts together afterward. 

However you choose to spend your holiday time with your loved one, the important thing is to make them feel loved. 

Help Keep Traditions Alive

Many seniors have beloved holiday traditions that they’ve kept alive for decades.

If your loved one has lost a spouse or a loved one recently, he or she may be feeling especially attached to their holiday traditions. 

Whether it’s a holiday recipe, hanging up decorations and stockings, watching holiday movies or singing carols, traditions are an important part of our attachment to the holidays. 

Keeping your loved one’s traditions alive, and beginning new traditions in their new community, can make the season very special. 

Encourage Socialization in the Community

Most senior living communities hold special holiday events and parties throughout the season. 

Encourage your loved one to take part! Ask the community director for a copy of the holiday calendar, and make reminders for your loved one to attend special events. 

Help Your Loved One Contact Other Family Members

Many seniors long to speak to loved ones who have moved away, especially during the holidays. 

If you can, help your senior loved one contact family members. Video chatting services like Skype and apps like Facetime will allow your loved one to see family members while they talk. You can also help your loved one correspond via text and email. 

Help Vulnerable Loved Ones Get Help

Do you suspect that an aging loved one is depressed? There are resources available to help vulnerable seniors.

Visit helpguide.org to learn more about depression in seniors and to find out how you can help. 

Brookfield Senior Living and Memory Care is one of the premiere senior living options in Arkansas. We offer three beautiful locations in Hot Springs, Fort Smith and Bella Vista.

Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a tour.