Looking for ways to make the holidays merry and meaningful for a loved one who recently moved to or resides in an assisted living or memory care community? Embrace the season without worry and take advantage of all that community living offers. In this article, we’ve compiled a few holiday tips for caregivers and families supporting a senior loved one through the transition to senior living.
 

Concerned About the Holidays? You’re Not Alone.
If you or your loved one recently moved to an assisted living or memory care community this year, you’ve probably contemplated how the holidays might differ. Many caregivers worry that the holidays might spark a sense of loss or sadness, even after their loved one has transitioned successfully to their new lifestyle. Some family members fear the holidays “won’t be the same” anymore and have difficulty coping with the change of mom or dad no longer living in the family home. Worries surrounding holiday gatherings, traditions, and events are often expressed.

• Gathering & Visiting – With a loved one living in a more efficient space, families are unsure about how and where they can gather and visit with loved ones in a senior living community.
• Maintaining Traditions – Many families worry about how they will maintain holiday traditions once shared at mom or dad’s home or are unclear about how they can use the community’s common areas.
• Holiday Events – What can a loved one take advantage of in the community and how can families be part of these events? What about holiday dinner?

Whatever your concerns may be, don’t hesitate to share them with community staff. Families should be able to depend on senior living community staff to partner with them to create a safe, healthy, and meaningful holiday experience for their loved ones. While celebrations may look and feel slightly different in a senior living community, they can be as meaningful and memorable as always. With a supportive community of caring staff and a full calendar of relationship-centered activities and events to engage your loved one, caregivers might be able to enjoy a little less stress themselves this holiday season.

As you plan your holiday gatherings, put your worries aside and embrace the season with our tips for celebrating with a loved one in a senior living community.

Celebrating the Holidays with a Loved One in Assisted Living

Understanding the services and amenities offered at your loved one’s community is an important first step in planning for the holidays. Speak to the community’s executive director to clarify policies and procedures and find answers to questions like:

• Which spaces are available for residents and families to use?
• Is a reservation required to use a special gathering area or other room?
• Can family members join their loved ones for dinner in the dining room?
• If your loved one is a resident in an assisted living community that also provides memory care services, what safety and security measures should be followed when celebrating?

You’ll also want to ask about traditions, annual events, and outings that take place in the community during the holidays. Inquire about how the community incorporates residents’ traditions, preferences, and interests and what opportunities are available for families, friends, or volunteers to be involved in the community. Once you familiarize yourself with the community’s annual traditions, make them your own by considering the tips below:

Tips for Gathering & Visiting
Gathering spaces and common areas in the community are designed to be shared – with family, friends, fellow residents, staff, and guests. Using these spaces during the holidays for a family visit when relatives can’t fit in a loved one’s apartment is an ideal alternative.

• Reserve the community’s private dining room for brunch, a family potluck, or a holiday dinner. If you or your loved one enjoys hosting, check with the community’s dining team about their availability to assist with the meal preparation and service.
• Utilize the community’s theater room for a holiday movie night. Invite loved ones to bring blankets and snacks and watch a favorite holiday movie together in a cozy space.
• Use the community’s country kitchen or bistro if holiday baking is a favorite tradition and you enjoy making cookies with relatives.
• Make a reservation in the community’s main dining room and enjoy a holiday meal with your loved one and their tablemates. You’ll get to know their friends or neighbors and experience their daily routine.
• Host a holiday open house – Seniors who enjoy having guests in their homes for the holidays might consider hosting an open house to welcome family, friends, or even fellow residents. Guests can “stop in” for a quick visit during a set time. Add a tray of cookies and some holiday music, and the stage is set for a fun social rendezvous.

Tips for Maintaining Traditions
Maintaining holiday traditions in a senior living community can be memorable and fulfilling for families and their loved ones. Decorating for the holidays can create a sense of home, especially when sharing sentimental touches and family traditions with those around you.

• Show off your apartment – Encourage your loved one to decorate during the holidays! Residents love showing off their favorite holiday décor to friends, neighbors, and staff. Whether it’s a wreath on their door, a tree in their window, or a beautifully decorated tablescape, give those vintage (or new) decorations a starring role in your or your loved one’s new community.
• Help decorate the community – Join in and help trim the trees, string the lights, or tie on bows. Decorating the community can offer a sense of belonging for residents as they share this new tradition with family and friends. Do you have a nativity set you’d like to share or a lighted menorah for the window? Speak to a staff member and let them know if you have anything you’re willing to share or display for the holiday season.
• Share your family's cultural or spiritual traditions with the community – Does your family have a unique cultural or spiritual holiday tradition? Whether it’s a special meal, an Advent candle lighting, a sing-along, an act of service, a Scripture or story reading, or another activity, talk to the staff about sharing the tradition with the community. Incorporating resident traditions makes the holiday more meaningful and memorable for everyone who lives and works in the community.

Tips for Holiday Events
Don’t miss the many opportunities to enjoy holiday-themed activities, events, and programs taking place in your loved one’s senior living community. Whether it’s a tree lighting, visits with Santa, Hannukah or Kwanzaa celebrations, holiday entertainment and cocktails, or a Christmas choir performance, offerings are abundant for residents, families, and friends to connect during the holiday season.

• Take advantage of holiday outings and trips – Senior living communities typically offer several holiday outings for residents, with transportation provided, friends along for the ride, opportunities to socialize, and stops at favorite local attractions. Trips to see holiday lights, concerts, or shows, a visit to a museum with impressive décor, a holiday luncheon at a favorite restaurant, or a shopping trip or spa visit are wonderful options conveniently arranged with accessibility in mind.
• Invite your church or community group to visit – Does your senior loved one have a connection to a local church or community group? Speak with community staff about having them come to visit for the holidays. They might be willing to wrap gifts for residents, distribute cards and cookies, entertain or perform, provide friendly one-on-one visits, or host a special service or support group. Visits like these can be especially beneficial to those without family members nearby or those coping with loss during the holidays.
• Go caroling in the community – Start a chorus of Christmas carols and coordinate a convenient time for caroling through the community with family, friends, or staff. If you’re a musician or know someone who is, offer to provide live music for a resident holiday event.

Merry & Meaningful
Making merry this holiday season can be surprisingly easy and festive thanks to a supportive new home environment and the many opportunities to experience a shared sense of togetherness. After all, this is what the holidays are all about! However you decide to celebrate this year, remember that life in a senior living community is designed for relationships. Make the most of the season by enjoying all that senior living has to offer and focusing on what matters most – relationships with those you love.

To learn more about adjusting to life in a senior living community, check out Stoney Brook’s valuable free resources and subscribe to our blog. Schedule a visit today and experience the benefits of our assisted living and memory care communities in Central Texas.