Ah, the holidays. For many of us, it’s all about spending time with family and friends. Holiday traditions, gift-giving, and delicious foods are what make the season warm and bright. For many seniors, however, the holidays are a stressful time. Seniors in assisted living facilities or retirement communities may feel that they can’t enjoy holiday traditions anymore. Others feel isolated or lonely. Others–especially those with cognitive impairments–may find that the holidays disrupt highly important daily routines. If you have a senior loved one who lives in an assisted living facility, you can still create incredible holidays memories. Here are 3 ways to make your senior loved one’s holiday season magical.

Organize a Family Visit During a Holiday Event

The majority of assisted living facilities host special holiday events for their residents. These events can range from a visit from Santa to a holiday festival to a special meal. If you’d like to arrange a visit to your loved one’s facility, contact the center’s event planner or coordinator. Find out the date and time of their main holiday event or events. Coordinate with the facility on any special foods or presents you’d like to bring along with you. Get RSVPs from other family members you think your loved one would like to see.  Plan for photos and time to visit after the event ends so your loved one can have mementos of the occasion. You could even bring a camera, develop the film, purchase a lovely frame and present the framed photo at your loved one’s next birthday or special event.

Decorate Your Loved One’s Apartment or Living Space

For many seniors, the impetus for moving to assisted living is the difficulty of completing household tasks. This can include chores like cleaning, cooking and laundry. Mobility decline and illness can make physical tasks like hanging Christmas decorations or putting up a tree very challenging. Not being able to decorate may be heartbreaking for your senior loved one, especially if they always decorated at home. Make a special trip to your senior loved one’s assisted living community during the holiday season. Bring decorations, and help them decorate for the holidays. You can help them hang traditional decorations or purchase new ones that will symbolize the holidays in their new home.

Plan a Holiday Party for Your Loved One and Their Friends

Does your loved one have a close-knit group of friends at their community? Planning a group party is a lovely way to include everyone. Many seniors find that their social groups become the most important part of their lives in a senior community. Including their new friends in your holiday party is a great way to meet everyone and incorporate them into your loved one’s holiday memories. Brookfield Senior Living and Memory Care in Arkansas is proud to host holiday events and gatherings for our residents every year. We always encourage our residents’ families to take part in the holidays with their loved ones. Contact us today to schedule a tour of our facility or to learn more about our services.

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