The Holidays can be tough on the elderly, especially if they are in a situation where they are in need of assistance getting through their days. Senior care is supposed to help alleviate this stress, but a lot of times, it actually can make the situation worse. Feelings of depression or loneliness can become heightened around the end of the year, and this is not something that should be taken lightly. By focusing on this need that your elderly loved one has, you will be making sure that not only are they physically provided for this holiday season, but that they are also having their emotional needs surpassed, too.
The easiest way to do this is with in-home care. It keeps your family members closer together, makes sure that they are safe when you’re away from the home at work, and it stresses the importance of togetherness during the Christmas season and sets the tone for the whole upcoming year. You won’t have to worry about going to visit them somewhere else if they are already living with you in your home and receiving high quality care there.
Unfortunately, this is not always the best for some people on a more practical level. Some elderly family members need too much attention or supervision to be able to safely stay in their homes, even if they would be emotionally happier in this situation. If you have a loved one that falls into this category, make it a point to go see them at some time during this holiday season at their assisted living facility or nursing home. Some of these institutions will have official holiday parties, and if you can make it to these, it’s a guarantee that your family member will truly appreciate it. It shows them that they are still important to you. While you might think this is a given, it is very easy to believe that they have been forgotten once they are in their new residence.
Basically, what it comes down to, is that you should be making your loved one a priority. This goes for all year long, of course, but because of the heaviness that the holiday season tends to bring out, you need to pay special attention to their happiness at this time of year. It might seem like a little thing to you, but it’s a huge thing to them. And, if your loved one is not yet in need of senior care, make it a point this coming year to start planning ahead. It’s never too early to start this process, and the more preparations you’ve put into care, the better the quality is likely to be when it’s needed. Things like setting money aside, getting long term care insurance if possible, and scouting out the best in-home care services will all be appreciated when they are eventually utilized. It’s not something that anyone ever wants to think about or have to use, but most people will need some sort of elder care during their lives, and planning ahead is always a good thing.
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