The holidays are a time to gather with family, friends, and loved ones to celebrate together and enjoy one another’s company. However, for many, the holidays are a stressful time. This is especially true for aging adults spending Christmas away from their home or family for the first time. Luckily, there are steps you can take to celebrate Christmas with an aging parent who needs continuous care.
Make a Plan
Planning is essential if you’d like to celebrate Christmas with your aging parent who needs continuous care. You’ll need to figure out logistics, plan the best date to visit or invite your parent over, and coordinate any necessary transportation. If your aging parent lives in a care facility, ask to speak with their care managers to make a holiday celebration plan.
Talk to Your Parent
The best way to celebrate Christmas with your aging parent is to ask them what they’d like to do. Make sure to have an honest conversation about your plans with them, and do not judge them if what they want doesn’t align with your ideal plan.
Connect In-Person
Loneliness is a serious issue facing millions of aging adults daily. Nearly 25% of all adults 65 and older are socially isolated. If your aging parent lives in an assisted living home, make a true effort to connect with them in person for Christmas. Consider visiting them before or after the holiday, or inviting them to your home and planning for the necessary support they will require. Face-to-face time with family could lift their spirits and fill their hearts with warmth this Christmas season. Try getting creative to discover ways to spend time together to celebrate the holidays.
Rediscover Family Memories
Talking about the past can provide relief and entertainment for aging adults, especially those with early signs of dementia. When you’re spending time with your aging parent at Christmas, rediscovering old family memories is a great way to bond with every generation. Break out the old photos and videos, talk about treasured memories, and celebrate life by remembering those happy moments together.
Don’t Do it Alone
Caregiving for aging parents can be overwhelming, and many family caregivers face high stress. Caregivers often do more than just care for their aging parent – they also work, care for their own children and grandchildren, and have their own life stresses to worry about.
When planning for Christmas with your aging parent, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. It’s important to lean on the supports around you and remember that caregiving is not your sole responsibility and can be shared with those around you, such as other adults in your family and hired caregivers.
The Cedars: Senior Living in Indiana
Stable living with caregiving services provides relief for aging adults and their families. At The Cedars, we offer independent and supported living options for seniors. We also love working with families to make sure their loved ones are well taken care of.
Our community is a beautiful lakeside retirement residence located just outside of Fort Wayne, Indiana. It offers a full calendar of social club gatherings, activities, and fun events. Our goal is to ensure that aging adults live their later years with joy, enthusiasm, and relational connections.
Contact us today with any questions or to schedule a tour of our campus.