Preparing for the Holidays with Seniors in Mind

There’s nothing more heart-warming than having generations of family members gathered together, taking pictures, sharing stories and enjoying the holiday festivities. Being mindful of individuals’ limitations, be they a toddler’s or someone suffering from Alzheimer’s, is important, both for safety’s sake and to eliminate any stresses or conflicts that may arise. Keeping in mind some helpful hints, when dealing with an elderly family member, will keep the hectic pace of the holiday season more manageable so you can take it all in stride.

Prior to your family gathering, perform a walk-through of your home to ensure there are no tripping hazards or barriers. Start with the front walkway; if there are a number of stairs or uneven pavement up to the front door, consider entering through the garage. Look for any area rugs that need to be moved away or secured with double-sided tape. Provide seating that is high enough that the senior can easily get up.

If your family member has Alzheimer’s, this presents its own set of challenges. Have a family album or two sitting out on the coffee table. It may be surprising, but someone with age-related dementia may have more acute long-term memory than younger people. Being reminded of past get-togethers and holidays may bring up stories that you’ve never heard and is a chance to engage someone who may otherwise feel left out of the festivities.

Set the mood for the season with traditional holiday music and familiar food. However, be aware that some seniors may have dietary restrictions, in terms of a low-salt or -sugar diet. Be stingy with the sodium; if your guests need more, have salt shakers nearby. The same goes for the sugar: steer away from cake mixes, candy and anything with corn syrup. There are many resources online when it comes to recipes for those with diabetes.

Too much alcohol can turn a light-hearted get-together into a disaster. Those who already need assistance when it comes to balance will only be more impaired after an adult beverage. Moreover, many medications routinely prescribed to seniors, such as Coumadin, definitely do not mix with alcohol. Consider becoming the bartender and offering mixed drinks, substantially diluted with water. Adding a splash of alcohol on top of whatever you’re mixing it with then not stirring it up will make the drink taste stronger.  There are also many non-alcoholic wine, cider and beer alternatives out there; just pour one into a glass to avoid the alcohol altogether.

The last piece of advice is try not to do it all. Consider doing your holiday shopping online, especially for electronic products. Apple, eBay and Amazon offer great deal, especially on “cyber Monday,” right after Thanksgiving when online merchants offer their best deals to compete against brick and mortar businesses. Remember that gift cards make the perfect stocking stuffers and take the guesswork out of shopping for someone who has everything.  If you’re hosting the family gathering, provide the main course and have other family members bring the appetizers, side dishes, drinks and desserts. Keeping it simple will allow you to enjoy your holidays and focus on what’s important: spending quality time with your family.