Help Elderly Parents Enjoy the Holidays

After last year, most of us look forward to celebrating a more normal holiday season; and with vaccines, many of us will spend quality time with older family members. Experts say there are some things we can do to help them feel more connected to the festivities.

Start by including them in some of the holiday’s plans such as selecting special foods or choosing the linens to use as it will make them feel needed and get them excited about the events. Experts say if they have memory challenges, serving some of the dishes they have always loved will help bring back pleasant memories.

If time allows, help them get ready for the family gatherings by taking them to a salon, or if they live in an assisted living community with salon services, treat them to a day at their salon. Buy mom or dad a new holiday sweater and give it to them to wear to the festivities, or go over beforehand to help them get dressed in their finest.

Other tips to help mom or dad enjoy the holidays are to get out old photo albums and ask them for some old family stories. Be sure to include family traditions such as watching a favorite holiday movie or playing a particular game.

If your parents bring up unhappy memories, let them talk; and don’t make decisions for them. Experts say be on the lookout if mom or dad seem to be tiring and offer to let them lie down in a quiet bedroom for a while or ask if they are ready to go home.

Once MorningStar at River Oaks opens, we look forward to providing seniors the finest assisted living in Houston, TX. Licensed as a Type B community, our qualified team members are available around the clock to assist residents with a variety of tasks to meet their individual needs. We also offer individualized memory care, respite care (short recuperative stays) trial stays (from a week to a full month), or independent living for those who love the idea of stress-free living.

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