‘Tis the season for time to fly by as we try to fit in all the fun stuff with all the people we love and care about. It’s also the season where budgets get blown because each “little thing” ends up cumulating into one large thing – a big bill! But, no one wants to be a Grinch, so don’t despair. There are plenty of fun, memorable, low-cost, or no-cost ways to spend time with your elderly loved one while creating some memories that will last a lifetime. Let’s look at just a few ways you, your senior, and their in-home care aides to enjoy the season that is now upon us.
Window Shopping with In-Home Care Attending
Many large department stores put on beautiful holiday displays each year. They hope to lure you in to purchase some of their products but with a little self-control, you can go and visit these displays with your loved one to soak in some of that holiday spirit. And if you’re not around or don’t have the time, but your elderly loved one would like to go, her in-home care provider might also be able to bring them for a visit. It might be a fun way for the elder care provider to spend the day as well.
Malls are another great place to visit and see the displays. They often have holiday music playing in the background as well. You and your loved one can even get dressed up in your favorite holiday clothes while touring the displays.
Christmas Light Viewing
Turn the radio station to one that plays Christmas music (or connect your phone and listen to your own playlist), and take your loved one for an evening ride to enjoy the local Christmas lights. Many communities even post online where to find the best lights so have your loved one do a bit of research with her in-home care provider first to help you map out a twinkling and sparkling path to drive through. Make it an extra special night by picking up some hot cocoa for the ride at a local fast food location or gas station.
And don’t forget to ask your loved one to share tales of when she was young and how she spent the holidays. Even if you’ve heard the stories a hundred times before, they become part of the holiday nostalgia that’ll keep you warm on the chilliest of nights.
Holiday Baking
There’s not much that is better than a home filled with the delicious smells of sugar cookies and pecan pies being baked up for the holidays. Baking is sometimes a skill that gets harder to complete as your loved one gets older, so invite the family and grandkids over to help her create cookies for everyone. Each person can bring a main ingredient and share it among all the bakers as they fill the home with heavenly scents.
Each holiday season you get to spend together is a gift and it doesn’t have to be an expense that breaks the bank. There’s more value in the memories you make than the gifts you purchase.
