We all know the festive holiday music of this time of year. It celebrates the “most wonderful time of the year” filled with love and joy for all. Unfortunately, for many seniors, the holidays only highlight sorrows or struggles they already have, making the holidays an especially painful time. Making it even more difficult is the expectation of joy and happiness around every corner, forcing many to try to bury or hide their sadness during this celebratory season. Hiding those negative emotions can then create a sense of loneliness, even if your loved one is surrounded by people who love her.
Whether you live near or far from your aging loved one, you can take steps to help her feel less lonely this holiday season. And you don’t have to do it alone, you can ask family members and her senior home care provider to help you make your loved one feel seen, heard, and valued during the holidays.
- Stop and listen. The hustling and bustling of the season can make it hard to slow down enough to have a genuine conversation with someone. But your loved one might simply be wishing for someone to sit down and listen to her for a spell. Her senior care provider might visit all week to help with chores around the home, but your loved one might appreciate a willing ear to listen even more. Build that into your senior care provider’s schedule if possible. You can even ask long-distance relatives to schedule weekly phone calls to check in and chat with your loved one. Those little connections can help her feel less alone in the world.
- Help her celebrate her way. There may be traditions that your loved one grew up with that aren’t as popular today so they’ve been forgotten about. The holidays are a great time to let your loved one guide you through some time-honored traditions so that she can feel more connected to today and not lost in yesterday. You might discover some old traditions that you’d like to bring back.
- Invite her into new traditions. In addition to helping your loved one celebrate the holidays in the traditions that she grew up with, help her connect to new holiday traditions or foods. If your blended family now has a new holiday tradition that you started when you expanded your family, don’t be afraid to ask your aging loved one to join you in it. It can be especially fun for her to learn a new cultural or spiritual way to celebrate the season.
- Consider her needs and abilities. While planning new activities with your loved one, consider her ability to participate. If a long day of visiting is too much, her senior home care provider can bring her over for dessert and then home again once she’s tired. Or plan a shorter event with just her. She’ll appreciate the effort to include her without overwhelming her.
Little steps like these will help your loved one feel less lonely and more included this holiday season.
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior home care in Dacula, GA, and the surrounding areas. Call (770) 965-4004 for more information.
We provide elder care in Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Oakwood, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Barrow County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Jackson County, North Fulton County.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
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