3 Tips for Celebrating Holidays with Seniors in Assisted Living

Make holidays with seniors in assisted living a special time for everyone

How to celebrate the holidays when seniors live in assisted living

Holidays in assisted living communities can still be fun, festive, and meaningful even if it means creating new traditions.

Older adults in assisted living will feel loved and included when you find ways to bring the holiday spirit to them.

After all, what’s most important is spending quality time with people you care about. 

To help you find new ways to celebrate, we answer 3 top questions:

  • Should you bring your older adult home for a family celebration?
  • What should you do when an older adult is no longer aware of holidays?
  • What festive activities work well in assisted living?

 

From our partner

 

1. Should I bring mom home to celebrate with the rest of the family?

If your mom doesn’t have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and you can handle her physical needs and transportation, visiting the family home could be a great way to celebrate the holidays.

But before deciding, talk with her to see how she feels about it. 

She may be concerned about getting too tired or needing help with personal care. Reassure her by explaining how her needs could be met.

If she’s feeling shy or afraid that she’ll be a burden during a fun time, remind her of how much the family is looking forward to seeing her.

If your mom does have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive impairments, it may be disorienting to take her out of a familiar environment. Staff members who know her well may be able to help you decide what would work best.

Some people with dementia enjoy festive events, but others are easily rattled by changes in routine, loud noise, or crowds.

If your mom is likely to get agitated, it might be better to have a quiet mini-celebration in her room or just have a regular visit.

 

2. My Dad has dementia. This year, he doesn’t seem to know that it’s the holidays. Will he even know or care if I celebrate with him?

Even if your dad doesn’t seem engaged with the world, he’ll still enjoy spending time with you and family.

You may or may not want to take him out of his memory care or assisted living community, depending on how well he usually does with outings.

If he typically enjoys going out, then it may be a good idea. If not, turn a visit into a festive occasion if that’s likely to bring him joy.

It’s a perfect time to reminisce over old photos, sing along or listen to holiday music, or admire cheerful decorations.

Unless he becomes agitated or upset by the activities, noise, or change in routine, seeing you in the holiday spirit will likely brighten his day.

 

From our partner

 

3. What activities can I do to celebrate the holidays with someone in assisted living?

If your older adult has dementia, a low-key approach to the holidays may work better.

Overstimulating holiday activities or busy decorations could be confusing or cause agitation.

First, start with a few simple decorations and smaller groups of visitors and see how things go. You can always add more or take some away depending on how they react.

For seniors without cognitive impairment, find creative ways to help them take part in family celebrations.

Reassure your older adult that they won’t be forgotten or abandoned by telling them when you’ll celebrate with them.

Try these festive activity suggestions:

  • Decorate their room together – get a mini tree, use garland to make a tree-shaped outline on the wall and tape ornaments onto it, put a few decorative items around the room, or hang a wreath on the door
  • Help them think of and purchase gifts for family members (especially grandkids) and then wrap them together
  • Arrange a family visit and open presents together – it’s more fun when the whole group has presents to open
  • For family living far away, arrange video chats so they can have virtual visitors
  • Accompany them to a holiday event or meal hosted by the assisted living community
  • Sing along with or listen to holiday songs together
  • Watch a holiday-themed movie
  • Work on a holiday-themed puzzle or a fun coloring page

 

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By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Image: Castle Homecare


4 Comments

  • Reply November 15, 2023

    Glenda Slessor

    Don’t forget to consider hearing problems. Family gatherings too often devolve into too much chat over the head of and around the elder. One on one may not be possible in a group setting. Too much “noise” is confusing for the hard of hearing even if they do not have dementia

    • Reply November 15, 2023

      DailyCaring

      That’s a great point, even without any cognitive decline, the noise and bustle of a big gathering can be overstimulating. One idea is to arrange for them to stay in a quiet room away from the group. Then, family members can take turns spending quality time with them in their calm space.

  • Reply December 17, 2019

    Anonymous

    Thank you. This answered so many questions I have.

    • Reply December 30, 2019

      DailyCaring

      You’re very welcome! We’re so glad this article is helpful.

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