The holiday visit is a precious opportunity to connect with your aging parents, but it's also a crucial window to discreetly assess their well-being. Beyond the festive meals and gift exchanges, this dedicated time together allows you to look for subtle signs that they may need more support to live safely and happily at home.
By focusing on these three key areas during your stay, you can transform a seasonal visit into an act of profound love and proactive care, ensuring their needs are met long after the decorations are put away.
Take Advantage of Your Holiday Visit to Check on Older Adults
During the holidays, many people will be visiting aging parents or relatives.
That makes it a perfect opportunity to observe them in their “natural habitat” – you’ll get to see how they’re really doing.
This year, use some of your time at home to do three things: ensure your older adults are doing well, make simple home safety updates, and start meaningful conversations about the future.
We share tips that help you focus on essential details that will make a big difference in the long run.
1. Discreetly Check on Independent Seniors
If your parents or relatives are living independently, the holidays are a great time to check on them discreetly.
By doing this every year and keeping notes, you’ll be able to spot changes more easily in the future.
Use our handy printable PDF checklist to evaluate changes in their physical, mental, and emotional health.
2. Spend an Afternoon on Home Safety Updates
While you’re visiting, you might have an opportunity to make a few simple safety updates.
These easy fixes don’t require much time and can help older adults avoid common accidents, allowing them to stay independent for longer.
Try these:
- Quick fixes for bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen
- More quick fixes for kitchen and around the house
- If their bath mats are slippery (a real hazard!), replace them with a low-profile, non-slip mat
3. Start Meaningful Conversations About the Future
When family gets together over the holidays, it’s a good opportunity for meaningful discussions.
If you haven’t already started talking about aging and plans for the future, consider bringing up the subject at a strategic time.
You might be surprised – many parents appreciate having these conversations and will be grateful that you brought it up.
Use these tips to prepare for a successful conversation, and keep a few conversation starters in mind to make it easier to initiate the conversation.
Final Thoughts
Your holiday visit, filled with these thoughtful observations and conversations, is one of the greatest gifts you can give to someone. It's an opportunity to show your love not just through presence, but through proactive support that honors their independence while ensuring their safety. Leave with a clearer picture, a plan for the coming months, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're helping them navigate the journey of aging with dignity and grace.
Recommended for you:
- How to Talk with Parents About Aging: 5 Tips and Conversation Starters
- Do’s and Don’ts for Visiting Someone with Dementia
- Caregiving Holiday Tips: 3 Ways to Deal with Difficult Family
About the Author
Connie is the founder of DailyCaring.com and was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also understands the importance of support, especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
As an adult who has been there as caregiver for my aging parents, it is important to check your attitude and method of approach. They are your parents and deserve dignity and respect, rather than meddling and takeover before due time. Properly assess their status before any conversation or action. Ask permission before jumping in, ask “Can I” or “Would you like me to…” rather than barging in with any discrediting or disrespecting attitude.
Great suggestions, thank you for sharing!