Even though the yuletide season is usually viewed as a time that is joyful, full of visiting family and friends who are nearest and dearest, and finding the perfect gifts, for seniors, it can be anything but merry and bright. A blend of loved ones lost, memories of holidays past, health issues, and more can hit seniors with emotions of loneliness and sorrow. 

Help at Home Senior Care, professional provider of home care and dementia care in Lincoln, CA and nearby areas, cares deeply about making certain that older adults feel included in the celebrations and enjoy the holidays to the fullest. These guidelines for fun holiday activities for seniors can help everyone enjoy the wonder of the holiday season together:

• Develop a cookbook with recipes from family members. Compile all the recipes together, and then make copies of your new family cookbook.
• Take a drive to see holiday lights in an old neighborhood that the senior grew up in.
• If the senior has trouble taking the time to put out holiday decorations, offer your help! This is a great way to share memories of past holidays and the story behind different decorations. Help at Home Senior Care can also supply help with holiday decorating.
• For a holiday that is truly relaxing, schedule time together at a local beauty shop or spa. You can even arrange for a local beautician or masseuse to come to the home, if it’s possible.

Safety precautions may also come into play for the older adult, for a variety of reasons: heightened fall risks with all of the extra holiday decorations, difficulties sticking to a prescribed dietary plan, and for those with dementia, interruption to routine, additional visitors to the home, and higher noise levels can all lead to stress.

Keep the following in mind to be sure older adults remain safe and content:

• Keep decoration safety in mind. Ensure that there are clear walking paths, and try to utilize simple, uncluttered decorations. 
• Reduced lighting can cover up things that seniors could possibly trip over, such as extension cords.
• Set aside a quiet area for the older person if the enthusiasm of young children, loud music, and activities become stressful.
• Appoint someone to be the older adult's "buddy" for the event, making certain his or her needs are fully met and establishing a bond that is wonderful for both.

The holiday season can certainly be fun and relaxing for everyone. With just a little pre-planning and additional thought, older individuals will enjoy the holidays as much as everyone else, creating new memories that the whole family will take pleasure in for a lifetime.

And, if in the middle of the holiday hustle and bustle you could use the support of professional home caregivers to provide home care or dementia care in Lincoln, CA or the surrounding area, Help at Home Senior Care is on hand to help! Contact us online or call us at (530) 885-7444 to learn more about how we can support you and your family and for more ideas for fun holiday activities for the elderly to enjoy this holiday season.

The holidays are loaded with get-togethers, parties, and celebrations. Yet for older adults, holiday outings call for a little additional planning. Follow these guidelines from the caring professionals at Help at Home Senior Care, providers of in-home respite care services in Grass Valley, CA and surrounding communities, to enjoy relaxed and fun outings with loved ones of all ages this season.

Before leaving the house to enjoy holiday activities for seniors, think about:

• The amount of walking required and whether or not there will be parking close by
• Whether the location is flat or has steps or hills to climb
• Whether there will be wheelchair access (if appropriate)
• If there is cover and shade
• Where the bathroom facilities are
• If there is seating available if the senior wants to rest

Be certain to prepare for a wide variety of possible plan changes:

• Have all required medications on hand, and bring an extra supply, just in case the outing lasts longer or takes an unanticipated turn
• Have appropriate clothes along with sun and rain protection 
• Bring something to eat and drink with you, in case of a delay

Need some holiday outing suggestions that seniors will take pleasure in? Consider the following:

• Enjoy a relaxing family drive to look at the area holiday lights
• If it's possible and welcomed, invite the senior to your home to help decorate for the holidays
• Bring the senior to a holiday party at the local senior center
• Go to community plays; in addition to the local theater or ballet, there are affordably priced plays and shows put on by local schools

When participating in any holiday activities for seniors, take things slow, and create a relaxing environment to make sure loved ones are comfortable and content. Help at Home Senior Care’s in-home respite care in Grass Valley, CA and surrounding areas can offer support and boost a senior's independence while providing high-quality in-home care over the course of the holiday season and all through the year! Contact our dedicated senior care professionals online or at (530) 885-7444 to learn more.