The holidays can be lonely, especially for seniors whose families don’t live close by. If you are looking for some new ideas, there are plenty of ways of connecting with senior loved ones during the holidays. You can visit them and help them decorate their homes, bake a special holiday treat, play Christmas music, and play other games to make them feel a part of the family.
At Calder Woods, our senior living community welcomes Texas seniors who are looking for a community to grow and thrive. Our independent and assisted living programs feature spacious apartments and townhomes where you can decorate for the holidays to feel more festive. We also have holiday-themed dinners and events where you can meet other residents and develop new connections and friendships.
To schedule a tour of our senior living community, call 409.407.7636 today to speak with our compassionate team.
Supporting Seniors During the Holidays
The holidays can be very difficult for seniors. Some reports show that over 28% of adults over 50 feel lonely during the holidays over the past five years.1 Loneliness can lead to depression, which is very common during the holiday session. Symptoms of seasonal depression include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling depressed and hopeless during the day
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Frequent mood changes
- Weight gain or loss
- Frequent bouts of crying
There are multiple ways to support seniors during the holidays to make them feel included. You can help them decorate, bake some favorite holiday cookies, and play card games while reminiscing about past holidays. If you know you will be away for the holidays, there are several easy-to-use video conferencing software options that you can set up ahead of time to connect with other family members over the holidays.
Calder Wood’s senior living community welcomes senior adults of all activity levels who want to make the most of their retirement. We offer a variety of ways to support seniors during the holidays, from holiday-themed parties to classic holiday movies, Christmas card-making, cooking classes, and more.
Connecting with Senior Loved Ones During the Holidays
The holidays are a time for families to gather, rejoice, and celebrate. For seniors who cannot be there over the holidays, you can still do many things to make them feel connected. Here are some tips for connecting with senior loved ones during the holidays:
Decorating for the Holidays
You can help seniors feel more connected during the holidays by assisting them with seasonal decorations. Help them dust off Christmas decorations and display them on a tree, tables, counters, walls, and windows. Take their Christmas lights and hang them around the home to add colorful displays of brightness and joy.
Bake Holiday Treats
One of the best ways to connect with seniors during the holidays is to bake with them. Have them bring out their recipe books to pick a favorite Christmas treat or try a new recipe that they find online. You can bake cookies, like sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, peppermint bark, or a favorite cookie from childhood. Other ideas for baking include:
- Pumpkin or pecan pie
- Thumbprint cookies
- Poached pears
- Cinnamon rolls
- Tarts and scones
- Cheesecakes
Go online together to see if there are any new recipes you want to try or to spice up an old favorite.
Play Holiday-Themed Board and Card Games
Board and card games are another family-friendly activity that you can use to connect with seniors during the holidays. There are fun board games, like Monopoly, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, and Scrabble for small groups. If you are more into card games, you can play Crazy Eights, Go Fish, Rummy, or Old Maid. These games are fun to play and easy to learn, and they will create hours of entertainment over the holidays.
Join Our Senior Living Community Today at Calder Woods in Beaumont, TX
Calder Woods is a full-service senior living community that welcomes Texas seniors who are looking for an enriching retirement. Our care programs are tailored to each resident’s needs and include independent, assisted living, and memory care programs. We have many holiday-themed celebrations and parties where they can socialize with other residents and build new connections over the holidays.
To see how we stay connected with seniors during the holidays, complete our online form or call 409.407.7636 today to schedule a tour of your new home.
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