Keeping the Season Warm After a Move
The holidays can bring up mixed feelings for families with a loved one in assisted living. It may be the first Thanksgiving without Mom at the head of her own table, or the first Christmas when Dad will not be waking up in the house where the kids grew up. Families often worry that the season will feel smaller or sadder than it used to.
It does not have to. With a little planning, the holidays can be just as meaningful, and sometimes easier, because the cooking, cleaning, and caregiving are no longer resting on one family member's shoulders. In this article, we are sharing ideas for visiting, bringing a loved one home for the day, keeping traditions going, and taking care of yourself during the busiest time of the year.
Plan Holiday Visits Ahead of Time
The holiday season is busy for everyone, including care homes. A quick call ahead helps the home plan staffing, meals, and activities, and helps your visit go smoothly.
A few tips for holiday visits:
- Call ahead to let the home know when you plan to visit or pick up your loved one
- Visit at the time of day when your loved one is usually at their best, often late morning or early afternoon
- Spread visits from different family members across the season rather than all arriving at once
- Keep groups small if your loved one is easily overwhelmed by noise or crowds
If several relatives are coming to town, consider staggering visits over a few days. A handful of calm visits is often more enjoyable for your loved one than one long, crowded afternoon.
Bringing a Loved One Home for the Holidays
Many families want to bring their loved one home for Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas morning. For residents who are up for it, an outing can be a wonderful part of the season. It just takes a little preparation.
Before an outing, think through:
- Mobility and access. Make sure the home you are visiting has a clear path, a safe bathroom, and seating that works for a walker or wheelchair.
- Medications. Ask the care home which doses fall during the visit and make sure they come along, with clear instructions.
- Timing. Plan a shorter visit than you think you need. A few good hours is better than a long day that ends in exhaustion.
- Quiet space. Set aside a calm room where your loved one can rest away from the noise.
- Diet. Keep special diets in mind, such as low sodium or low sugar, when planning the menu.
For residents living with memory changes, a trip away from familiar surroundings can sometimes cause confusion, especially in the evening. If that is the case, bringing the celebration to them may be the kinder choice.
Bringing the Celebration to Them
Celebrating at the care home can be just as special. In a small residential home, family visits often feel like visiting someone's house rather than a facility, and other residents may enjoy the company too.
Ideas for celebrating at the home:
- Bring a favorite holiday dish or dessert to share, after checking on any dietary restrictions
- Decorate their room with a small tree, lights, or familiar ornaments from home
- Bring grandchildren to sing carols or read a holiday story
- Look through old photo albums and share stories from holidays past
- Join in on the home's holiday activities and parties
Holiday festivities are part of the activity calendar in many care homes. Joining in lets you see your loved one enjoying their new community, which can be a comfort in itself.
Keeping Family Traditions Alive
Traditions do not have to stop because the location has changed. Often, the details matter more than the setting.
Ways to carry traditions forward:
- Make a family recipe together, or bring it in and let your loved one tell the story behind it
- Play the same holiday music they have always loved
- Hang a favorite ornament or decoration in their room
- Bring cards from friends and family to open together
- Ask them to share a blessing, a story, or a memory, just as they always have
Older adults often find deep meaning in passing traditions down. Giving your loved one a role in the celebration, rather than simply being a guest, helps them feel like the heart of the family still.
Taking Care of Yourself During the Season
Family caregivers often carry quiet guilt during the holidays, especially in the first year after a move. It is normal to feel sad that things are different, and it is just as normal to feel relieved.
A few reminders:
- You do not have to recreate every tradition exactly as it used to be
- Short, happy visits count just as much as long ones
- Let other family members share in visits and planning
- Trust the caregivers to keep the season bright on days you cannot be there
Choosing assisted living gave your loved one around-the-clock care and company. It can also give you the chance to enjoy the holidays as a son, daughter, or spouse again, rather than as a full-time caregiver.
Celebrate the Season at Comfy Home
At Comfy Home, holidays are a big part of life in the house. Our activity director plans parties and holiday festivities alongside our regular sing-alongs, bingo, games, and arts and crafts, and families are always welcome to join in. Residents can also go out with family for the day or for special events, with a quick call ahead to coordinate the date and time. For twenty-three years, we have cared for elderly and disabled residents in Katy and Richmond with a one-to-four caregiver-to-resident ratio, twenty-four-hour supervision, and home-cooked meals, including special diets, so the season can be both festive and safe.
Plan a Visit This Holiday Season
If you are looking for a warm, home-like setting for a loved one, the holidays are a wonderful time to see what life at Comfy Home feels like. Learn more about our assisted living services, explore our homes offering assisted living in Katy, TX and Richmond, TX, or contact us to schedule a tour.
