November 26 - Help the elderly enjoy Christmas

Christmas is a joyous time of year, a time when families gather and gifts are shared. However, it can also be a very lonely time, especially for the elderly who may have lost their friends and family. For some elderly people living in care homes or receiving care at home Christmas can be the worst time of year but thankfully it doesn't need to be this way, there are plenty of ways to ensure older people have a happy fun filled Christmas.

A care home Christmas

If you run a care home or nursing home a Christmas get together is a must! Get the whole home around a table for Christmas dinner, provide time for them to see their families and encourage your residents to get involved in a secret Santa scheme. Not only will this build a strong sense of community but it will also provide enjoyment, happiness and pleasure, all of which are missing when you spend Christmas alone.

If it’s possible try and take your residents out to local events such as a Christmas concert, invite Santa into the home for a visit or try and introduce something truly unique such as stockings on the end of their beds on Christmas morning filled with items they would have received as a child. It’s the little things that leave the biggest impression.

A care at home Christmas

Many elderly people receive care at home services, but when the carer leaves it can be an extremely lonely experience. Especially if they have no family over at Christmas. If you’re a carer you can help alleviate their loneliness and worries by talking and getting involved in their Christmas celebrations. Anything from staying for a cup of hot chocolate, bringing them a present or two, to taking them out to a local Christmas market, carol concert or friend’s house can really help them enjoy the spirit of Christmas.

If you’re looking for a festive event in your local area, Community Christmas is an organisation that is dedicated to stopping the loneliness many elderly people experience at Christmas. Community Christmas has a dedicated event section where you can search for local events taking place over the festive period.

Community Christmas also allows people to list their own festive events. So if you’re planning on holding an event for elderly people who may otherwise be alone this Christmas submit a new event form today.

A family Christmas

If you have an elderly relative that lives in a care home or receives care at home services make sure to spend some time with them for Christmas. Invite them around for Christmas dinner, go and visit them in their care home or go pick them up to go enjoy the closest Christmas Market.

Many families invite their elderly relatives around to stay for the Christmas period so that they can get involved with everything from decorating to cooking whilst being surrounded by the people they hold dear.

If you’re a care home provider or a provider of care at home services we’d love to hear what you’re planning for your residents this Christmas. Maybe you’re planning a communal Christmas dinner for your residents or are taking your residents or patients out for a Christmas social gathering. Please get in touch with us via Facebook, Twitter or Google+ and share your plans.