Navigating holidays with a loved one in assisted living or memory care can be challenging for every family. It brings up a mix of emotions, including:
- Gratitude
- Nostalgia
- Sadness
You often look back to times gone by and wish they would return, even though they can’t.
The good news, though, is that with some compassionate guidance, it’s easier to navigate a situation like this. This post provides some practical tips you can use over the festive season so you can enjoy more connection and comfort with your loved one in assisted living in Minnesota.
Take time to plan your visits
One of the first things you might want to do is take time to plan your visits. You want to be able to take advantage of the time that you have together as best as you possibly can.
To do this, speak to staff at the nursing home facility about their visiting hours over the Christmas period. Usually, they’ll allow families to come over on Christmas Day, and you might also be able to make arrangements to host your loved one at your home if you’re having a celebration.
If you are visiting a memory care home, then you’ll want to keep visits shorter and low-key. It’s fine to go and visit a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s, but over-stimulation can lead to fatigue.
Focus on a quality experience over quantity. Half an hour is enough, and you may want to stagger family members speaking one-by-one so your loved one doesn’t feel overwhelmed by the experience.
If you are feeling under the weather, postpone your visit to the care home. Sometimes older people or those with chronic diseases can be more vulnerable to illnesses, so delaying until you’re healthy actually protects them.
Lastly, for this section, when you’re planning a visit to the care home, try to create new moments with your loved one instead of reminiscing about the past. Talking about what happened before can bring up uncomfortable memories about happy times. Plus, it may also be hard for your loved one to recall them, which could cause them distress.
Bring the holiday season to them
You could also bring the holiday season to your loved ones. For example, many senior living options in Minnesota allow you to bring safe and simple decorations like wreaths and stockings to put up. Usually, you can’t bring real candles, but flameless LED alternatives may be allowed. These can create a sense of joy in your loved one and give them the feeling that it’s Christmastime, even if they don’t fully understand it.
If you have a loved one with dementia, you might also want to focus on scents and smells, as these can be more visceral than abstract conversation. So, for instance, you might bring cinnamon or pine-smelling essential oils, or you might give them their favourite treat. You could also use music by playing them the songs that they like.
Share a meaningful activity
If you can share a meaningful activity you think you will all enjoy, you could also try that. One of the smartest things you can do is adapt traditions to your loved ones’ preferences. So you could sing carols or listen to music. You could also look through photo albums from past holidays or decorate cookies. It’s really entirely up to you what you do.
If you share gifts with your loved one, open them mindfully. Look for presents that are tactile and that will really benefit them directly. So you could offer scented lotions, soft blankets, or other items with texture. These remind them of the experience of giving and receiving, and also form deeper connections with them.
Participate in community events
Finally, you could go with them to community events. Many assisted living and memory care homes offer various activities over the holidays, including singing choirs, Santa visits, and Christmas dinners. Joining in with your loved ones can make them feel even more special and welcomed.
You could also go for a short drive with them to visit a cafe or the holiday lights. However, make sure you keep it relatively brief to avoid difficult situations.
Ultimately, the holidays can be a challenging time for a lot of families. If you need help, reach out for a free consultation with Choice Connections. Our team is here to listen, advise, and assist you in creating a brighter future through senior care planning.