Spending Christmas with a Loved One in a Nursing Home

The holidays can be tough when you have a loved one who is in a nursing home and he or she is unable to come home. As a caregiver to the elderly and a grand-daughter I have some great ideas on how to make the Christmas holiday special.

1. Baking homemade sweets: There is nothing elderly people love more than sweet food. Due to the decrease in taste buds, sweet treats are very tempting to them. Also, because many have health issues concerning sugar using a sugar substitute is preferred. Providing soft foods such as pumpkin pie or cookies and milk are delicious and exciting treat.

2. Decorations: Who doesn't love Christmas lights? Particularly the colored lights. Decorate their side of the room with lights, special ornaments, and cards. Most elderly people are not sensitive to external lights but the feel of Christmas and being loved will provide them comfort.

3. Bring children to visit: The elderly love children, especially babies. Just keep in mind that they don't have patience for children for long periods of time. Also, check with the charge nurse to make sure no communicable diseases are floating around the nursing home and could compromise the weakened immune system of babies and children.

4. Bring Photos: This is particularly important if children can't come to visit. A suggestion would be to rent a projector and display a slideshow of family pictures with Christmas background music. The display can be shown in the activity room with all their friends to see. What grandparent doesn't like to brag about their family?

5. Games: Even the simplest and least energetic games are fun. One game I have noticed that many like to play is passing an inflatable ball around the room either by tossing or kicking. If a Christmas ball was found then the game would be festive. Bingo is also a fun game, using small sugar free candies as markers and room decorations or ornaments for prizes.

6. Music with dancing: Playing cheery Christmas music puts almost anyone into a good mood. Even elderly people in wheelchairs can dance. If they are not up for dancing they still enjoy watching others.

7. Crafts: Bringing along scrap booking material to make special Christmas cards is a relaxing and fun way to spend time together. Many elderly women still have that nagging urge to get their Christmas cards done and mailed out!

8. Ask them: Many family members forget to ask them what they would like to do. They may not know or seem like they don't care but they appreciate the gesture when their independence is declining.

9. Sing Carols: Organize a family carol group and sing. The chance that family members would be embarrassed is minimal when most elderly forget so often. If family members decline ask a local church to organize a group of carolers to come and sing.

10. Bring Gifts: Bringing simply wrapped presents with frilly bows and sparkly ribbons cheers them up right away. Gift ideas can be a new outfit to wear for Christmas and a new pair of slippers. Many women love the extremely soft socks to sleep in. Men may want a handsome shirt to show off. If their spouses are deceased, many men still like to look! Another gift idea for men could be a new hat or an electric razor. Very nice gifts with practicality.