Make Sure that Senior Living Relatives Know You Love Them During the Holidays

Between decorating, gift buying, baking and parties there’s no doubt, holidays are a busy time. But whether your family celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or the Winter Solstice, it’s important not to forget about dear ones in senior living communities. While most communities host a variety of holiday programs and activities, nothing beats celebrating this special time with family and long-treasured friends.

Bringing a loved one home for the annual holiday dinner where you celebrate with time-honored traditions is important. However, don’t overlook opportunities to make sure senior relatives know you love them during the holidays outside of the main event.

It doesn’t take much effort to turn a routine visit into a special holiday occasion that the whole family can enjoy. Here are a few ideas for making the entire month of December merry and bright.

• Holiday Movie Night – Whether you tune into a streaming site or pop in a favorite DVD gather the extended family around the TV to watch classics like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snow Man and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Or go way back and introduce the grandkids to It’s a Wonderful Life. Add a big bowl of popcorn and some theater candy and you’ve got an easy way to add some holiday sparkle to your senior’s life.


• Deck the Halls – Most senior living communities decorate for the holidays, inviting residents to join in the festivities. Find out when they plan to put up decorations and become part of the fun. If your senior’s living space is big enough, put up a mini tree there too and bring in favorite ornaments – or make new ones –to bring the spirit of the holiday to life.


• Host a Sing-a-Long – Once upon a time holiday carolers went door to door singing songs to cheer neighbors and foster fellowship. Revive the tradition by having family members accompany your loved one in visiting other resident apartments to sing a favorite carol and share homemade cookies or other treats. On a smaller scale simply gather in your senior’s apartment or in a common area to sing carols together. Chances are you’ll draw a crowd and have other residents join in.


• Bake Cookies – Few things bring a bigger holiday smile to young and old alike than creating – and then enjoying -- special holiday treats. Haul out the recipe box to find old fashioned favorites or try new ones. Teaching a younger generation how to make cookies that have graced the family’s dessert table for generations is a great way to engage your loved one and make memories to last a lifetime.

Whether you’re celebrating old traditions or creating new ones there are lots of ways to make sure senior relatives know you love them during the holidays.

MorningStar Senior Living

If your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into a senior living community near their adult children where they’ll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offering care and hospitality services that meet each resident’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. We offer month-to-month rent with levels of care if needed. Curious? Contact us to learn more.