5 Ways You Can Help Mom in Elder Care During the Christmas Holiday

!yourMaking Sure Your Mom in Elder Care is Cared For During the Holidays

Christmas and the end-of-year holiday season make for a wonderful time for family and togetherness, but for some individuals, it can also be a difficult and challenging thing. For those of us who may struggle with feelings of loneliness, it is good to visit Mom in Elder Care. Really it is healthy for both of you. And here is the kicker; it does not have to be YOUR MOM in Elder Care or dad that you visit. The holidays can heighten their feelings of isolation for everyone. It is natural, boost your serotonin levels(happy brain chemicals) by volunteering to visit seniors. Just an hour will make a big difference, go enjoy the company of a senior. Look don’t worry about feelings of isolation! Yes, they are a great danger for many seniors, as they can increase feelings of depression, increase incidents of falling, and increase overall mortality. Yikes! Let’s focus on what CAN be DONE! Putting your Mom in Elder Care or in the RIGHT living situation is a great first step, as being at home alone can dramatically increase those feelings of isolation. But even seniors in elder care can use some help and extra love and attention during the holidays. Here are five ways you can help a senior loved one during this potentially difficult time, and spread that holiday cheer in the process.

1. Spend Time With Your Senior Loved Ones

Naturally, you will want all of your holiday festivities to include your senior loved one, but this is not always possible. Your family member may live too far away or may have health issues that preclude them being away from their elder care living situation for an extended amount of time. Further, they may even not want to participate in holiday gatherings for whatever reason. Even if this is the case, it’s important to carve out at least some time for enjoying the holidays with your special senior so they know they are still being thought about and loved.

2. Find Out Why They Are Isolating

If Mom in Elder Care who you care about is declining spending time with you or other family members during the holidays, it’s important to find out why. If they simply prefer to avoid the hustle and bustle of holiday gatherings, that’s one thing. But there can be other reasons. For example, your senior loved one may be dealing with issues around incontinence, or they may be self-conscious about their inability to drive or to drive safely. If you can find out the underlying reasons, you may be able to come up with solutions that will allow them to participate more in the holiday festivities, fending off isolation and loneliness in the process.

3. Participate in Assisted Living Activities

If your senior is in an elder care assisted living facility and cannot visit you for the holidays, take the time out to visit them! There should be no reason that you cannot participate with your loved one in whatever holiday festivities the facility has planned.

4. Consider a Pet

If your senior is allowed to have pets in their living situation, consider getting them one (with their approval, of course). Having an animal to care for and nurture, whether it’s a dog or cat or even a fish or bird, can often reduce feelings of social isolation, especially during the holidays.

5. Remember the Care Givers

The winter holidays are a great time to thank those who help take care of your loved ones. Showing your appreciation can be a great way to uplift those who work so hard in Elder Care. A little seasonal card from your and your senior loved one will go a long way. It also makes everyone continues to lead a fulfilling, comfortable, and happy life. Whether it’s a small gift or simply going around to personally give a heartfelt thanks. A simple gift basket or a bag of coffee beans. When you appreciate others who play any role in your senior’s care it gives a serotonin uplift(that’s a good thing).

Safe Housing Resources for Seniors from Golden Placements:

In conclusion, Winter months get tough. This may be a good time to find a place for mom with good footing! We can help! Here are more resources to help you learn more about Safety:

Diane Delaney, Placement Specialist Extraordinaire

Diane Delaney, Golden Placement Services — Diane Delaney

Delaney is the founder of Golden Placement Services. She began this business with a healthy dose of compassion for helping families make educated decisions regarding senior placement. Focused to relieve stress in uncertain senior housing crucial moments. Diane brings about loving change of lifestyle with grace. Additionally, Diane is an accomplished executive manager, Director of Operations in senior housing. Emphatically, she enjoys sharing her experience by writing about the full spectrum of the transition process for seniors and family members. Read more from Senior Placement Specialist Diane: Ultimate Senior Living Resource Guide >>

LaVona Tombrelin, Senior Placement Specialist

Tombrelin brings a high level of education and experience to you as your Senior Placement Specialist at GPS. She loves writing about improving the lives of Elderly working in private care and in-home care for over 36 years. Geriatrics, Memory Care. Plus, she holds Master of Psychology Behavioral Health with the goal of advocating for those who needed a voice. Basically, LaVona believes helping the families to make good decisions and to relieve their stress in uncertain times makes life worthwhile!