When you have a loved one in memory care, it’s natural to wonder how you can make the holidays just as meaningful for them. We recently discussed your options for spending the holidays both inside and outside of a facility, but today, we are focusing only on how you can make their experience within a memory care facility better than ever. Bringing extra holiday cheer into their lives doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s about connection, kindness, and the simple pleasures that brighten the season.

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Common Concerns During the Holiday Season

If one of your loved ones lives in an assisted living and memory care facility, your mind may be full of concerns as you’re preparing for the upcoming holidays. You’re busy shopping, decorating, and preparing for family gatherings, and it’s natural to worry about how your loved one feels as they remain within their facility every day. Seniors with memory conditions often suffer from feelings of loneliness, confusion, and difficulty adapting to a changing holiday environment. These concerns are more common for seniors living alone at home, however, as assisted living and memory care facilities provide companionship and community through relationships with staff and neighbors. Still, it may not be enough to replace family, and we understand those concerns.

Staying involved in your loved one’s life during the holidays is incredibly important. Visits and thoughtful gestures help them feel loved, included, and emotionally supported, combatting those feelings of loneliness and anxiety they may feel. Luckily, family members of residents are always welcome to visit A Banyan Residence and help bring holiday cheer to their loved ones.

5 Ways to Brighten the Holidays

Visiting your loved one and participating in simple, thoughtful activities can create a wonderful holiday atmosphere. Your presence alone is often enough, but combined with the right activities and gestures, you can make the holiday season even more special.

  1. Decorate Their Space: Bring festive decorations, such as a small tabletop tree, twinkling lights, or favorite family holiday decorations, to make their room feel more festive.
  2. Do a Simple Holiday Activity Together: Even small gestures, like writing holiday cards or making simple craft gifts to send to family members, help seniors with cognitive issues feel involved. If you simply want to relax, you can turn on a holiday movie and laugh together.
  3. Share Holiday Music: Music can lift spirits and evoke nostalgic memories, and tons of research shows its benefits for seniors with cognitive issues, connecting them with the past. Find some great tunes and enjoy the day with your loved one; they will surely be appreciative.
  4. Bring Comfort Items: A physical manifestation of the holiday season is a great way to brighten up a room and invoke holiday cheer. Gifts like holiday-themed pillows or aromatic hand lotions with scents like peppermint or cinnamon mean that your loved one can continue to feel the holiday spirit long after you return home.
  5. Join Holiday Events at the Facility: Assisted living and memory care facilities have yearlong residents, so they always throw holiday celebrations to spruce up the lives of seniors remaining in the facility. Your presence will make these events even more special for your loved one.

At A Banyan Residence, we encourage residents’ family members to join us during the holidays, whether during planned parties and gatherings or simply a quick visit to brighten up someone’s day. Contact A Banyan Residence today to learn more about our facility and how we help Florida residents with memory care needs every day, including the holidays.