Sometimes an extended visit over the holidays reveals suspicions that a little caregiving assistance in the home is necessary for frail, older loved ones. However, a senior fearing a loss of independence may also try to disguise care needs, so it is important to know the signs to watch out for. Aunt Ann’s Home Care understands these fears and knows how to gently introduce and transition seniors to in-home care in the San Francisco Area.
With a little pre-planning and tweaking of holiday traditions, frail seniors can comfortably be included in holiday activities that also engage the younger generations. Aunt Ann’s Home Care can cover ongoing respite care to give a caregiver time to run errands and can engage a senior in ability-suited activities to make the holidays and every day enjoyable for all.
Contact Aunt Ann’s Home Care for more information on holiday activities for seniors, respite care and customized options for varying elder care needs in the San Francisco area.
These links are provided as an educational resource for those who are interested in further information on holiday activities for seniors.
Downloadable Tools and Tips:
Click the links to view or right click to print or save to your computer.
Senior Safety During the Holidays:
Including Seniors in Holiday Activities:
Reducing Caregiver Stress During the Holidays
Web Resources:
Click the links below to access resource websites to learn more about holiday activities for seniors.
Safety and Wellbeing Checklist for Occasional Visits
This site provides a simple yet thorough list of things to watch for when visiting elderly relatives. The answers will help determine whether additional care assistance at home might be needed.
Survey to Determine Changes in a Senior’s Abilities
Use the questions on this site as a guide to determine if there have been any significant changes in an elderly person’s abilities and environment since your last visit.
Enjoying the Holidays with Frail Seniors
This article includes tips to prepare a home for a holiday visit with an elderly person, how to plan special elderly comforts and simple holiday crafts that can be fun for all ages.
Thoughtful Gifts for Seniors with Care Needs
The best gifts often involve spending time with loved ones. This site offers some excellent gift ideas for a senior that could use some help and extra attention at home.
Tips to Introduce Additional Care Assistance
If it is determined that additional care at home is required, sometimes it is difficult to introduce the concept of additional care. Transitioning to a different care situation requires understanding, patience and encouragement. The Mayo Clinic offers tips to encourage cooperation.
Facts and Misconceptions Regarding Activities for the Elderly
The elderly sometimes miss out on family activities, or are excluded from fun events due to misconceptions about their age and abilities. The Family Fun Shop provides tips for including seniors in activities that suit their individual needs.
Holiday Entertaining for Those with Alzheimer’s
The holidays present special problems for older seniors and elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers may want to modify activities to keep a peaceful holiday. Read more at Suite101.
Free Entertainment Activities for Seniors
About.com provides ten great ideas for free activities to enjoy at any time of the year.
Preparing for an Outing with a Senior
The thought of taking an elderly person on an outing can be daunting, but with a little forward planning, it can be fun, and a welcome break for both the caregiver and the senior. Read more on preparing for an outing with a senior at this link to Elderly Care Tips.
Intergenerational Activity Ideas for Grandparents
Sometimes more involved and long-lasting activities can be planned and executed. This blog from a grandmother has some great ideas shared by other grandmothers on activities that span the generations.
Avoiding Family Caregiver Holiday Traps
StrengthforCaring.com article offers five applicable tips for helping caregivers cope with holiday stress.
Stress, Depression and the Holidays: 12 Tips for Coping
Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.
Holiday Stress Assessment for Caregivers
Take this simple stress assessment test to help you distress in the holidays.
Surviving the Holidays: Strategies for Caregivers
Downloadable article by geriatric health writer Eileen Beal details successful strategies that caregivers can implement to manage holiday stress. Note that this is a PDF file and you will get a security warning.
Managing Holiday Stress: Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Article on About.com offers advice and information to help Alzheimer’s caregivers deal with holiday stress.
Five Ways to Alzheimer’s-Proof Your Holidays
Healthcentral.com provides tips from an expert caregiver on how to enjoy a stress-free holiday season while caring for someone suffering from dementia.
