The holiday season can be a lonely time for many seniors, especially when age and health conditions keep them from following their beloved traditions in the same way as before. To help lift their spirits, it’s essential for family members or professional caregivers to spend a little extra time on holiday activities. Here are a few ideas to help you and your loved one enjoy the season.

What to Do With Seniors & Caregivers

1. Send Christmas Cards

Whether it’s personalizing a store-bought card, designing custom ones using Christmas photos, or a full-blown arts and crafts project, creating and sending Christmas cards help seniors feel connected. It’s also an excellent way to foster relationships with their most distant loved ones.

2. Decorate Cookies

This can be as simple as adding frosting and sprinkles or as elaborate as building a fancy gingerbread house. Not only is this a chance to get creative, but once you’re done, you’ll have a delicious treat to eat or share.

3. Look at Christmas Lights

Your loved one may not be up to decorating their home, but they can still take a walk or drive to see the beautiful lights put up by their community. You might also consider attending a local tree lighting ceremony held by the town or local organizations.

4. Watch a Performance

Another way to get out of the house is to attend a play or choir recital. Many communities offer free or low-cost, holiday-themed productions at this time of year — making it even easier to attend.

5. Have a Gift Wrapping Party

If your loved one is giving gifts to family and friends this year, set aside an afternoon when you can meet and wrap them. This process is always more fun when it’s done together. You can also trade wrapping paper for more variety or help with tricky items.

If your loved one needs a senior companion, call Polish Helping Hands in Unionville, CT. Serving all of Hartford County with English, Polish, and Russian-speaking caregivers, they provide companionship and home care services to keep your loved one healthy and happy, just as they have for over 20 years. To schedule a visit, call (860) 404-0499 or go online to learn more.