The holidays are a wonderful time of year. They bring with them decorations, Christmas music, and the promise of family and friends gathering together. During the holidays, seniors often feel pressure to stay in and rest. But staying in can be unhealthy, especially if you’re missing out on social opportunities. They also bring with them a lot of opportunities for seniors to engage in fun activities!
Consider the possibility of waking up on Christmas morning alone, with no one to share in the pleasure of the holiday season with you. There is nothing special about today; there are no squeals of delight from the grandkids as they rip open gifts beneath the tree, and there is no Christmas family dinner to look forward to tonight.
Many seniors who have family members who live far away and cannot visit them over the holidays are confronted with this situation. These seniors may come from various backgrounds, but most feel grumpy or sad during the holidays and all of the fun and positive things that accompany the season.
Here are 5 fun Holiday Activities for Seniors to help fire up their holiday spirits:
Decorating during the holidays is ideal for bringing brightness, color, and a festive atmosphere into any area. Setting up a Christmas tree, creating a wreath, crafting unique stockings, or constructing a gingerbread house together can not only help beautify a place but will also enable you to make memories that older folks will treasure.
Encouraging seniors to decorate their living areas is one of the best ways to keep them cheerful this holiday season. Find prized decorations or rare family relics to place on their gleaming tree,
like in Rancho Mirage retirement communities, which are decked up with seasonal decorations to get seniors in the Christmas mood.
Instead of forcing older persons to go caroling, have the carolers come to them. Music is more than simply a seasonal pastime. It's therapeutic. Residents at Rancho Mirage retirement communities benefit from Christmas music to spark their memories.
Plan a tour for seniors to enjoy Christmas shopping and sights such as Christmas displays, live festive music, and holiday cuisine. Involve them and provide a physically, psychologically, and emotionally engaging atmosphere. Suggest an excursion that will bring seniors outdoors in the sun, whether it is chilly or not. Physically active seniors are less prone to suffer from winter depression. Many cities and towns put up Christmas and holiday decorations that you may stroll through or drive past. You may also go around your area to check out homes and establishments decorated with lights, inflatables, and other decorations.
Something about the holidays gets seniors in the mood to watch movies! A holiday movie marathon is a great opportunity to spend time with seniors, whether it's a corny Hallmark movie, a classic like It's a Wonderful Life, or a kid's movie that seniors would like! Light some winter candles, prepare some refreshments, and enjoy this holiday activity for seniors and families.
Food is generally the focus of the holidays! Ask seniors about their family recipes, favorite holiday dishes, or whether they have a dinner planned. Allow seniors to choose traditional meals that they like and encourage them to create the perfect holiday dinner. Seniors who will not be spending the holidays with their families may feel included if they help with tasks like peeling vegetables, folding napkins, and setting tables. Baking cookies or a dessert to share with others may also help your loved ones feel included in the Christmas spirit of giving.
