The Christmas season is a time of joy, laughter, and cherished moments spent with loved ones. Many eagerly anticipate this season with glee and excitement, counting down the days till Christmas Eve -especially the children in our lives. Schedules quickly fill up with work parties, frantic shopping trips and school performances. Amidst the hustle and bustle of all the preparations this holiday brings, it is vital that we remember the elderly loved ones in our lives, many of whom may be dealing with feelings of loneliness and struggling with the challenges and complexities of aging at home. These individuals deserve a special place in the heart of this festive season. Let us extend to the elderly the warmth and compassion that this season inherently brings, ensuring that they too can relish in this delightful time of year. In this article, we will look at a few thoughtful and creative ways to engage the elderly this Christmas, with a particular focus on those facing the condition of Alzheimer’s/Dementia.
Take a Walk Down Memory Lane: Photos, Cards, and Baking
As time advances, it often appears to slip away more swiftly, especially as we grow older. In my life, the elderly loved ones I cherish never fail to enchant me with tales from the past – stories rich with the essence of togetherness, love, and purpose. Even those grappling with Alzheimer’s/Dementia, in moments, find themselves captivated, and though fleeting, their eyes may hold a spark of remembrance, casting a glow of joy upon their faces. During Christmas time, strolling down memory lane proves to be a wonderful avenue for coaxing those deeply buried memories to the surface, thereby assisting individuals in savoring and enjoying the present moment. Here are some suggestions/activities you can do with your loved ones this Christmas:
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1. Christmas Photographs:
Digging through photos from years past is a delightful method to engage your loved one. Sitting together, side by side, on the couch or at the table fosters comfort and has the potential to trigger positive memories. To add a festive touch, consider turning some of your favorite Christmas photos into ornaments. Instead of adorning your tree with the usual glass ornaments, opt to hang snapshots of Christmases gone by. Transforming your tree into a beautiful stringed timeline of Christmas pasts is easy with just a hole puncher and some string. It not only makes for a uniquely personalized decoration but also serves as a wonderful conversation starter for sharing cherished memories.
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2. Old Christmas Cards:
Most of the elderly loved ones in my life have at least one box containing all their Christmas cards accumulated over the last 30 years. Within these cards lie precious letters and notes brimming with love and encouragement. If your loved one possesses a collection of memorabilia like this, it presents a wonderful opportunity to revisit love letters from the past, Christmas greetings with sentiments like ‘wish you were here,’ and notes from family members. Reading these notes to your loved ones is like opening a treasure trove, a present that continues to offer joy. Even generic cards without a special message can be repurposed into a simple craft. By searching for “How to make a box out of a Christmas card” online, you can follow easy steps to create a memorable keepsake box with your elderly loved one.
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3. Christmas Baking:
Almost everyone can attest to having a grandmother or grandfather with a secret recipe that yields the most delicious Christmas cookies ever tasted. I had to wait 25 years before my own grandmother shared her secret butter dill buns recipe, and it was undoubtedly worth the wait. One of my family’s cherished traditions involves selecting one of my mother-in-law’s great grandmas’ cookie recipes to bake during the Christmas season. Engaging in kitchen activities, such as baking, decorating cookies, and indulging in them afterwards, is always a heartwarming activity that you can enjoy with your elderly loved ones. After all, isn’t it true that we all bond well over good food, especially when icing sugar and butter are part of the mix?
As we carry on with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, let us not forget the invaluable presence the elderly have in our lives. Christmas extends its magic beyond age, inviting all generations to partake in its joy. Rather than merely expressing our Christmas spirit in words, let us show it through meaningful actions this season, ensuring that our seniors feel not only acknowledged but genuinely included. In the wise words of Cindy Lou Who from Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, “No one should be alone on Christmas.”
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