There are several ways to help your loved one enjoy special holiday traditions while in hospice care. A little creativity can go a long way in helping your senior celebrate the holidays, and this post includes tips to make it a memorable season.
Make your loved one the focus of holiday celebrations and find out how they would like to spend time together.
- Ask your loved one to share how they celebrated holidays when they were younger. Your family member might want to recreate some of the traditions they enjoyed in their younger years.
- Adapt traditions so your loved one can participate while in a hospice setting. If your loved one wants to send holiday cards, you can help address envelopes while your family member puts stamps and address labels on envelopes.
- If decorating the tree is important to your loved one, bring a small tabletop tree to brighten your family member’s living space.
- Bring holiday events to your loved one. Feelings of isolation can be difficult for a family member who doesn’t feel included in holiday preparations. Help them decorate their living area or enjoy watching holiday movies together.
- If your loved one likes holiday music, bring a special holiday CD that your family member can listen to when they want to enjoy some festive music.
- Take photos and gifts to your loved one so that your family member feels included in your holiday plans. If your loved one can’t have several visitors, a scrapbook album of photos will help them stay connected to family.
During the holidays, spend time with your loved one who is in hospice and help bring their holiday traditions to life wherever they are receiving care.