The festive season is nearly here, and as the restrictions relating to 2020 have now ceased, for many people, this is the first year they can spend Christmas with their entire family.
This will usually include older relatives as well. Whether you are visiting your relative in a care home or an assisted living home, or they're coming to your home for Christmas Day, there are multiple things you can do to help them be more comfortable.
It's important to note that many senior citizens find Christmas tough and may feel isolated and alone during this time. So, if you make an effort, it can mean a lot to them, and here are some tips on how to make them comfortable.
Be Patient
It is important to be patient with your elderly relative, especially if they have Alzheimer's dementia or another neurodegenerative disorder. So, try to keep family arguments to a minimum, and aim to keep everything as easy to follow as you can. If this is your first year of noticing that your elderly relative is showing the signs of Alzheimer's, you may want to Google memory care near me, to see if there are any facilities in the community that can help them in the new year.
Help Them Decorate
A lot of elderly people have issues with their mobility, meaning it is harder for them to decorate their homes. Or, if they are living in assisted living or a nursing home, they may want to decorate the room that they are in. Rather than leaving this solely to them, try to help them and ask them at each stage where they would like you to put certain items. This will help them to feel more festive and is likely to increase their enjoyment of the day.
Ask Them About Their Traditions
The older generations have traditions relating to Christmas, which have been somewhat lost in a more digital age. So, to help them feel that they are a part of the entire process, ask them about the traditions that they had growing up and aim to recreate them as best as you can. This will help them feel emotionally involved and will likely help them to relax and feel comfortable.
Put in Rails and Other Modifications
If your elderly relative is coming to stay with you over the Christmas period, you will need to consider modifying your home temporarily, so that they can get around. This will involve putting in removable grab rails, particularly in the bathrooms, and ensuring that there are safety measures in place on the stairs to prevent them from falling.
Check Their Prescriptions
A lot of elderly people have multiple prescriptions that they take, and over the Christmas season, a lot of pharmacies are closed. In advance of them staying with you, or you going to see them, ensure that their prescriptions are filled and that they have enough medication to get through the festive period. The last thing that you want is for your loved one to be in physical discomfort. Or worse, to have to visit the emergency room on Christmas Day.
