Christmas time can be a wonderful time of year. It’s a chance to see all of the extended family, to catch up and to relax. This year with COVID still breathing down our necks, we need to be extra careful with the elderly in our lives as they are the most vulnerable to the virus.
As someone who helps in the care of my Grandmother, I wanted to share a few tips on how to best care for your elderly loved ones over the festive season.
Share Your Time
One of the best things you can do is to give your time. There have been many times over a cuppa that myself and my Nan have reminisced, shared stories and caught each other up on what we are up to lately.
Since COVID hit, I have learned how to crochet, all because of her and it has been something we compete with each other on. She knits and I crochet.
This Christmas, don’t forget about the elderly in your life, without the care and social aspect of the festive season, it can be quite a cold and lonely time of year.
Co-ordinate Your Care
If you care for a parent/grandparent/elderly neighbour with others, it is important to co-ordinate with them.
It may seem silly but, you are ensuring that your loved one will have someone with them most of the time and not go from one large group to nothing at the blink of an eye.
Routine is important, coordinating care with others ensures that you can get into see your loved 1-2 times a week.
Encourage Physical Activity
It’s no secret, its a cold time of year. This is why it is so important to encourage physical activity. Whether its a walk in the park or walk in your own garden. This can help keep the mind and body feeling more balanced and positive.
Encouraging exercise can help them strengthen their immune system, lower blood pressure, improve sleep and heart health.
Nothing like the Christmas walk around the block after dinner to make you feel more awake and alert.
Engage the Brain
In our house, there is always a boardgame or two, jigsaws etc. gifted and we always end up playing that night or over the Christmas break.
Playing brainteasing games or working on puzzles can help both you and your elderly loved one stay sharp and active.
Personally, we are a fan of bingo and Rapido. I always makes us laugh.
Help Them to Keep Connected
Since COVID hit, many of the elderly in our society have learned to become more tech savvy. They have joined social media channels, called on skype and played games online.
Just before now, the restrictions had relaxed quite a bit so our elderly loved ones may be a little unsure in retuning back to tech. That is why it’s important to make sure they can stay connected over the festive season. Whether its over the phone or video. Try to make sure they remember how to engage and use certain tech this Christmas.
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