Family Holiday Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living
With gifts, festive foods, cheerful decorations and treasured traditions, it’s no wonder the holidays are a magical time of year. But if your parent or grandparent is a resident in an assisted living community, you may wonder how to share the holiday spirit with them. Fortunately, there are many ways to include your loved one in the spirit of the season. Here’s a list of holiday activities for seniors that the whole family will enjoy.
Dive into Holiday-Themed Books and Movies
Nothing stirs the holiday spirit like a heartwarming story. Pop some popcorn, make hot chocolate and sit down with your family for a holiday-themed movie marathon. Or read aloud from favorite holiday books. Whether you’re dipping into kids’ books like “Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear!” by Don and Audrey Wood or classics like “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, holiday stories inspire wonder and feelings of goodwill.
Make Card Writing a Family Affair
The holidays are a time to reach out to friends and family, near and far, with the exchange of cards. But so often, the task of sending holiday greetings is a solitary chore squeezed into spare moments. Try a new approach this year by gathering your loved ones — and lots of greeting cards, markers, postage stamps and stickers — and inviting everyone to participate in a holiday correspondence extravaganza.
Take a Joy Ride
Holiday lights make even familiar streets more magical. Invite your loved one for an evening ride in search of spectacular holiday displays. Or attend a community tree-lighting event or holiday parade. Concerts or performances of holiday favorites like “The Nutcracker” can be a treat, too.
Get Crafty
Crafts are fun at any time of year, but during the holidays you can gather friends and family for a festive craft workshop, creating holiday décor or gifts to share. Crafting can be an especially beneficial holiday activity for seniors because it boosts well-being, decreases anxiety and stress, and can help seniors maintain their fine motor skills. Make holiday ribbon wreaths, a candy garland, or a bunting out of last year’s holiday cards.
Create a Family Treasury
While you spend time with your loved one, take the opportunity to ask them questions about their holiday memories. Have other family members contribute their own favorite recollections. Add cherished family recipes. Add youngsters’ illustrations and family photos and you’ve created a family heirloom. Look into self-publishing options so you can print and share copies for everyone in your family.
Host a Cookie-Baking Day
What are the holidays without tasty treats? Baking is a simple and fun way to spend time together and make holiday memories. Seniors can crack eggs, sift flour, cut out shapes, and decorate alongside their grandchildren. There’s laughter, togetherness — and treats for everyone to enjoy — and for your loved one to share with neighbors and staff in their assisted living community.
Fill Their Residence with Holiday Cheer
Your loved one may miss having a house all decked out for the holidays, but there’s no reason you can’t help them decorate their assisted living apartment. Seasonal décor comes in all shapes and sizes, so you can easily find options that fit their living space. If you want, make it a decorating party — invite other family members, turn on holiday music and serve some of the cookies you’ve baked.
Wrap Gifts Together
Hosting a gift-wrapping party can be another festive, fun way to spend time together — and to tackle a holiday task with good cheer. With an assortment of gift wrap, ribbons, tags and embellishments — and some holiday music and treats — you can turn a chore into a fun-filled gathering.
Organize Family Photos
There’s no time like the holidays to gather the family for professional portraits. Invite each branch of your family tree to attend a photo shoot. The resulting photos will make wonderful gifts and lasting keepsakes.
Celebrating Everyday Living at Signature Pointe
At Signature Pointe, we love the festive fun we have with residents during the holiday season. We also know how important it is to celebrate the joy in every day. With a full calendar of events and recreational activities — plus the competent assistance of our caring staff — residents in our assisted living community can flourish. Learn more about Signature Pointe’s assisted living community by contacting us or planning your visit.
