DE-STRESS WITH HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES

The holidays are both fun-filled and stressful. Family caregivers may feel at a loss, especially when trying to come up with ways to keep everyone from age 7 to 97 happy and involved in the celebrations. Before you’re tempted to say “Bah Humbug,” try these ideas and create some holiday fun for everyone: Take a poll of favorite family recipes and cook a special meal. Let kids and seniors have fun frosting a cake or cookies together. Frosting sugar cookies with grandma can be one of the enduring memories grandchildren have of time spent with their grandparents.

Put together a family photo album using existing photos or take new ones. Just the act of looking at old or recent photos together stimulates shared memories, warmth and laughter among the generations.

Take a drive to look at holiday lights. Seniors tend to love this activity during the Christmas holiday season and it’s a great way to have quality time with family members. Visit an old neighborhood or other area that your loved one might remember or find interesting.

Bring other families, neighbors, and friends together for a holiday sing-in of favorite Christmas or other familiar songs. Encourage everyone to bring a favorite holiday treat and make it a potluck!

Interview an elderly neighbor or a relative and find out the important dates in his or her life. Create a calendar with handmade pictures or photos and fill in the special dates. This can be done on the computer, by hand or with a calendar kit. Attend a holiday play, concert or local event or just rent a holiday-themed old movie and pop some popcorn for sharing. This is something all generations can enjoy together whether or not a senior family member is frail or unable to get around well. The holidays are a time of enjoyment and celebration. Celebrate the ones you love by keeping it simple, inclusive, and fun. And if you should happen to need some extra help around this time of year to transport grandparents or elderly parents or for any other reason, please contact us online or give us a call at 208-777-0308 in the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene or Hayden areas; 208-263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas; and 208-784-1505 in the Kellogg, Pinehurst or Wallace areas. We can help your loved one with a wide array of in-home care services, and give you time to plan those festive holiday gatherings that are so important at this time of year.