The holidays are a great time of the year when family and friends gather and celebrate. This time of the year can be great to reconnect with loved ones you haven’t seen in a while. However, even though this holiday period appears blissful for many, there are certain individuals who struggle with negative emotions during this time period. One group who struggles with these feelings is retirees, especially those who are estranged from their families. If your loved ones have seemed distant the last few months, bringing them along for your family holidays can really help their self-esteem and reinstate a sense of positivity in their lives.
Revisit Old Memories
Walking down memory lane with the oldest person on the table is a special experience. They are aware of situations and have created memories that you might have never experienced. They give you new insight and looking at old photographs and videos from a new perspective can be illuminating. Speaking about your favorite memories or your favorite things about your elderly loved one can help them feel joyful and appreciated by your family.
Start New Traditions
Learning from your older relatives’ years of wisdom is priceless. The family holidays are a great time to sit down together and understand old traditions that your loved one might have engaged in. Even better, it might be time to start new traditions! Retirees love feeling like they are actively and meaningfully contributing to the society around them. What better way to do this than to involve them in the creation of a brand-new tradition? Be it baking, watching a movie or simply playing a board game together, making your elderly loved one feel as though they have contributed to the creation of a lifelong tradition can be extremely empowering for them.
Sending Them a Digital Message
For those who live far away from their elderly loved ones, using technology to remain connected to them can really help them to feel included with their family. Certain older relatives choose to move away from the hustle and bustle to a more laidback location. However, this may lead to them feeling particularly lonely around the holiday periods when their other friends might be engaged with their own families. Sending them a quick text message, video calling them or even sending them a heartfelt email can really help to make your loved ones feel like they’re still an important presence in your life, even if they may be physically far away from you.
Why Choose Spring Mill?
Spring Mill offers a retirement living community unlike any other. With our extensive range of amenities to improve your loved one’s quality of living and a supportive team, our senior living community is one you should definitely consider! The best part is that your loved one gets complimentary access to all these things so their days are bound to be meaningful. To find out more about our senior living programs and life in our amazing senior living community, contact us today.
