Holidays should be a time for enjoying time together, not for adding more responsibilities to an already packed care-giving routine. This holiday season, Visiting Nurses of Aroostook wants to make certain that families in Aroostook County understand how to care for and engage in holiday activities that are suited for the older loved ones in their lives.
Making a few adjustments to old traditions or starting a few new traditions to accommodate an aging or frail loved one can help make the holidays special for all ages. Bringing out old holiday recipes, stringing popcorn chains while reminiscing or attending a holiday concert together are all great ideas, but they should be planned for in advance.
Some general ideas to include the senior in your life in holiday activities might include: actively participate to his or her abilities in seasonal activities; reminisce and relive good times; share recipes, traditions and memories; and visit with family and friends.
Cecile Voisine, clinical manager for Visiting Nurses of Aroostook suggests, “Consider what specific holiday-related activities would be fun for your loved one. Explain and include them in the planning beforehand to assure that they will enjoy the activity. Seemingly trivial things like holiday scents, moving furniture around to make a place for the Christmas tree and participating in holiday activities can add to anxiety.”
Voisine also recommends keeping a journal of holiday events and ideas in order to cut down on some of the stress and guesswork next year. “Don’t over-plan and keep your expectations realistic, Start simply to help prepare your family for this holiday season,” she added.
Visiting Nurses of Aroostook has compiled a list of links and free resources at www.easternmainehomecare.org.
