The holidays are a memorable time to gather with friends and family while celebrating good food, togetherness, and other festive traditions. However, if Mom or Dad just moved into an assisted living community, the holidays might look and feel a little different this year.
It can be emotional not to have them at home to carve the turkey or to watch the annual showing of It’s A Wonderful Life, especially if their house was usually where all the festivities took place. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t still make the holidays special.
Having a parent in assisted living may make the holidays different, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate, create and embrace new traditions, and spend meaningful time with your loved one! Franklin Park® Senior Living offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care services throughout San Antonio, Texas, and we’re sharing some ways you can honor traditions and make the holidays special for your family member in assisted living.
Check-In Emotionally
Loneliness and isolation are common concerns for older adults, especially during the holidays. While assisted living communities offer plenty of opportunities for socialization and even holiday activities, your parent or family member might feel sad or disappointed that they won’t get to participate in certain traditions that they used to. Communicate with them frequently about how they’re feeling and if there’s anything they want to do specifically during the holidays.
Pass Around the Coffee & the Pumpkin Pie
Many people’s favorite part about the holiday season is the delicious and festive food. While assisted living communities provide quality meals and unique dining events during the holidays, there’s nothing like a home-cooked meal. Making your family member their favorite holiday meal or dessert can bring them some holiday joy and delicious cheer!
Deck the Halls
Even though your family member may not have a whole house to decorate this year (which they may prefer), help them bring some holiday cheer to their new living space! Spruce up their senior apartment by adding safe and festive decorations, like battery-operated string lights, garlands, a mini artificial tree, and some homemade family ornaments. You can even get them a Bluetooth speaker so they can play their favorite holiday music.
Share Their Address with Friends & Family
If you’re worried that your parent may feel disconnected during the holidays, give their new address to family and friends and ask them to send festive cards. Not only will this give something they can decorate their space with, but it can be a meaningful reminder that people love and care about them.
Have a Holiday Movie Night
If one of your favorite holiday traditions is watching It’s A Wonderful Life together, that doesn’t have to change because your parent is living in an assisted living community. Bring the movie to them! Schedule a night to visit them with the film and your favorite snacks, and enjoy a new take on an old tradition.
Get Involved in the Community
Many senior living communities, including Franklin Park®, host fun and festive holiday activities and get-togethers for residents, families, and guests. See which ones you can attend and join your family member to celebrate. This is a great way to get involved in their community and have them introduce you to their friends and favorite staff members.
Enjoy the Season
Even though the holidays this year might look different than years before, it’s important to remember the reason for the season. Your parent or family member might need some additional support, but you can still spend meaningful time with them and create new memories during the next chapter of their lives. Plus, now that they are living in an assisted living community, they have not one but two families to celebrate and spend the holidays with!
Celebrate the Holidays at Franklin Park®
The holidays are a cheerful and festive time for many, including Franklin Park®! Our independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities in San Antonio, Texas, fully embrace the holiday spirit with decorations, dining experiences, and festive programming.
We aim to make our communities as comfortable and welcoming as possible during this season. We also encourage family and friends to visit for meals and celebrations whenever they can. To check out what’s happening in our San Antonio assisted living communities, follow us on Facebook!