Supporting the Seniors You Love This Holiday Season
The Christmas and holiday season of 2020 will be like nothing most of us have ever experienced. With strict no-socializing orders and stay-at-home advisories in place throughout Rhode Island, getting into a festive mood may be tough for many.
For seniors, especially those who live alone, the holidays may be incredibly difficult. Here are some ideas for how to safely connect with and support the seniors in your life.
Spend time in a safe way
There’s nothing like a hug and kiss, or simply sitting with someone and spending time together. This year, those things aren’t safe for people who don’t live in the same household. Don’t underestimate the power of a phone call or a short video chat. Having some discussion topics on hand can help to keep the conversation flowing, think: funny or cherished holiday memories, or things you’re looking forward to doing when COVID is over. Making time for someone is the most priceless gift you can give.
Drop off or deliver something special
If you live nearby and it’s feasible, bring over a festive meal or some treats, an activity such as a crossword book or jigsaw puzzle, or holiday music or movies. If you live far from your loved one or it’s not possible to do a drop-off, many restaurants and shops offer online ordering and local delivery that can be coordinated from a distance.
Make plans
Help your loved one plan for at least one thing to do each day, even if that is just watching a holiday movie or preparing a favorite dish. Oftentimes, the anticipation of an event is as enjoyable as the event itself. Planning also relieves anxiety surrounding loneliness and boredom.
For many of us, holiday preparations like putting up a tree and decorations, shopping for gifts, and mailing cards are just as important as anything. Ask your loved one if they need help with any of their preparations; something as simple as getting out to buy cards and stamps could be challenging for them.
Engage all generations
Children have a special ability to remind us of the simple joys in life. Encourage the children in your family to make drawings or write letters to their older relatives; pictures and notes are often more cherished than anything store bought. And folks of all ages love getting mail; now could be a great time to strike up a pen-pal relationship.
Kids also love hearing about what life was like “in the olden days”, so talking about Christmas memories of yore can be a fun way of spending time together. If video calling is available, reading picture books together is another special activity that can be shared.
Acknowledge sadness and look for positives
Christmas is often a bit of blue time for many to begin with, and there’s no denying that this year’s holidays mark the end of a particularly devastating year. It’s okay to talk about sadness, loss, boredom, and the other difficult emotions we are feeling.
At the same time, thinking about the good things we have right now – the modern technology to connect across distance, the essential workers who keep the world running, the love of family and friends – is important too.
The 2020 winter holidays come with the marvelous news that several COVID-19 vaccines are now a reality. The first doses have already arrived in Rhode Island, and the state hopes to have all its citizens vaccinated by the summer of 2021.