Remembering the Forgotten

This holiday season, let's take the time to stop and remember those often forgotten, the residents in long-term care facilities. Gift giving at a nursing home is never the most rewarding, after all, depending on which resident you choose to bestow your gift upon, they may not be able to see it, tell you that they appreciate your gift, or even remember in a few minutes that you gave them a gift.

Quite often, the elderly are placed into the long-term care facilities and forgotten by their families. Especially during the holidays, it becomes difficult for them. Most families won't stop in to visit let alone attempt to take the residents home for a day or even a meal. They appreciate the little things that people do for them, and taking a few minutes from your day or more to do something for one of these residents this holiday would mean more than you can imagine.

If you have younger children that would like to get involved, have them make ornaments that are simple and non-time consuming so that they can be made in bulk. Then allow the children to take the ornaments to the nursing home and pass them out to the residents. Most residents love children, and enjoy visiting with them. If you have a little more time on your hands, take a few holiday books with you that your children can read and allow them to go around reading to the residents.

Most facilities have a sign-up sheet or gift list of some type where you can randomly pick one or more residents' name to buy a gift. Pay attention to any details given with the list, especially deadlines. Most activities departments organize a holiday party for the residents that does not always coincide with the exact holiday, so the gifts purchased need to be at the facility by a certain time and date so that the resident you select isn't left out when gifts are passed. A great idea when going this route is to actually stop a nurses aide and ask their opinion for a gift for the resident. If they're not familiar with the resident specifically, they can usually refer you to an aide that is. If you don't wish to interrupt the staff, bed clothes, blankets, body wash and shampoos are always great gift ideas. When buying scented items, keep to a very mild scent. If buying an object of clothing or blankets, take a black Sharpie marker and write the residents name on it so that it is returned to the proper resident after going to laundry.

Taking pets into a nursing home is always a wonderful way to make residents smile. Check with a facility prior to taking your pet to find out the buildings policy on animals. You may need to take proof of vaccinations with you, and occasionally, facilities will not allow in animals that are not certified rehabilitation animals. If your animal is aggressive or hard to control, leave them at home. Only take a passive and friendly animal. The residents skin can be very fragile, and even a little jump from a small animal can leave them with skin tears and bruises.

Please always remember to check with staff for any holiday activity you may plan at a long-term care facility. Some residents may not be able to take an ornament from your child due to allergies or choking hazards. Some residents may be too aggressive for your child or small pet. Usually several residents are not allowed pet visits due to allergies or fears. Food is never a good gift idea unless you know the resident you're buying for personally, as most of the residents are on special diets and may not be allowed sugar, or large pieces or even unthickened liquids. And the top reason to ask staff, they know the residents and their needs and most are more than willing to take a few minutes out of their day to suggest either an activity or a gift that you can give.
Happy holidays! This year, lets's take the time to remember the forgotten.