How to Have the Best Thanksgiving with Your Senior Loved One
Thanksgiving is the time of year when we gather with family to enjoy each other’s company and give thanks for all the wonderful things in our lives. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving can also be a difficult time for our senior loved ones. Many older people deal with depression around the holiday season; it may remind them of the people they have lost or the difficult changes they are facing as they age. It’s important to remember that these feelings are valid, and they don’t need to be swept under the rug just because it’s a holiday. Instead, acknowledge that your senior loved ones may be having a hard time and do everything you can to ensure this Thanksgiving is enjoyable for them.
Here are some tips from the team at Summerset Senior Living to help you have the best Thanksgiving with your senior loved ones this year.
Talk to Them before the Big Day
Preparation is key if you hope to have an enjoyable holiday with your loved ones. Don’t wait until Thanksgiving Day to start getting ready! Call or visit your loved one before the big day and find out how they are feeling about it. Perhaps they are not feeling up to the task of hosting; maybe they feel apprehensive about attending a large gathering. Discuss these feelings with them and adjust your plans accordingly.
Offer Help with Running Errands
If your loved one does want to host this year, there are many things you can do to help them get ready. For example, if they have mobility issues, you can offer to do the grocery shopping in the days before Thanksgiving. You can also pick up decorations and other Thanksgiving necessities, or even help out with cleaning so the house will be ready to receive guests.
Help with the Meal Preparation
Cooking a Thanksgiving dinner is a big job, and even if you’re not a gourmet chef, you can still lend a hand. You don’t have to cut your senior loved one out of the meal preparation if it’s something they enjoy doing, but you can make life easier for them by peeling potatoes, chopping vegetables, and other simple tasks. You can also help with potentially dangerous jobs like pulling the turkey out of the oven.
Consider Their Needs
As your loved ones get older, they may develop specialized needs that they did not have previously. A senior with mobility issues may need your assistance getting around during Thanksgiving. If they are living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, they may need some quiet time to collect their thoughts, especially later in the evening. No matter what your senior loved ones need, you can show them you care by being considerate. Understand that Thanksgiving can be stressful and do whatever you can to accommodate the needs of your older family members.
Senior Living Communities in California and Nevada
If you notice that your senior loved ones have been struggling lately, Thanksgiving can be a good time to talk to them about making the transition to a senior living community. Mobility issues, dementia, and other health problems can make it unsafe for them to live alone, and a senior living community can provide an environment where they can thrive. With 24/7 medical monitoring and staff on hand, meal preparation, fitness programs, and more, senior living communities offer so many opportunities to seniors. If you are interested in active senior communities near Sacramento, Summerset has two communities in Northern California and a brand new community in Reno, Nevada. Call (916) 619-0494 or fill out the form on our contact page to request more information or to schedule a tour of our communities today!
