According to the Institute on Aging, around one third of senior citizens live alone. While living alone can pose challenges to older adults year-round, the holidays may be even more difficult for seniors who are living alone. They may struggle to stay involved in the festivities, leaving them feel left out. They may also just feel especially lonely in a time when people are making plans with family and friends. If your aging relative lives alone, home care can help them to enjoy the holiday season. Here are just a few ways home care can help.
Writing Out Holiday Cards
Older adults who have trouble with their hands or vision may not be able to send holiday cards the way they once did. As a result, they might feel guilty or disconnected. A home care provider can sit with the older adult and help them write out their cards. The senior can dictate personal notes that the home care provider can write.
Gift Shopping
If your family member no longer drives, going shopping for holiday gifts could be a problem. A home care provider can drive them to stores and help them to shop. The provider can make sure the holiday crowds don’t jostle the senior and cause a fall. They can also carry heavy packages.
Gift Wrapping
Gift wrapping can be difficult for seniors with arthritis or other conditions that affect their hands or arms. A home care provider can assist them to wrap gifts, but still keep them involved as much as possible by having them choose the wrapping paper and ribbons or holding the paper while the provider tapes it.
Decorating
For many people, the best part of the holidays are the beautiful decorations. A senior living alone may not be able to put up a tree or lights. But, with the help of a home care provider they can. Home care providers can assist with setting up and decorating the tree. They can also help put lights around windows. Also, the home care provider can make sure that all of the decorations are set up safely to prevent tripping over cords or starting a fire.
Baking Cookies
Baking holiday cookies is a tradition in many families. If your aging relative enjoys baking, but cannot do it on their own, having a home care provider can make it possible for them to keep up with the tradition. Home care providers can drive them to the grocery store for ingredients and help with the baking.
Sources
https://www.ioaging.org/aging-in-america
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING SENIOR CARE IN LAS VEGAS, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF SUMMERLIN. 702-800-4616.