Posted December 21st, 2015
By Kris Powers
We can learn something from anyone at any time. A two year old learns by watching her five year old sister jump and skip. A ten year old boy learns how to shoot a basketball from a neighbor. A grandmother learns how to operate an iPad from her grandson, and so on. Wisdom isn’t always imparted from the older to the younger. The holidays provide a wonderful opportunity for young and old to get together, share stores, and learn from one another. Take advantage of this time together!
- Share memories. Use picture albums, family videos and even music from days gone by to help stir up memories in both young and old. For advanced-age family members, the chance to tell their stories helps to improve cognition, lessen depression, and improve behavioral functioning. If you can, try to record the conversations, or journal the stories for future generations to enjoy.
- Create new memories. Add a new family tradition this year. Have a silly Christmas sweater contest. Start a family game night. Teach gramps how to take a selfie and store up some silly pictures to share next year. If time allows, bundle young and old together in the car to drive around looking at lights while listening to calming holiday music.
- Offer everyone an opportunity to be involved. Assign tasks for the holiday meal preparation. Older adults with physical limitations can be asked to do simple tasks such as folding napkins, or entertaining the cooks with stories from years past. Perhaps Grandma or Grandpa have a special skill or talent that they can teach to the younger generation during the holiday break. Sewing, knitting, playing an instrument, or even mastering the game of checkers are all important skills to pass along!
- Plan ahead. Be on the lookout for over-stimulation and allow all relatives, regardless of age, time to rest and enjoy peace and quiet!
- Reach out to older friends and relatives who are alone this holiday season. The holidays can be a difficult time for some seniors, especially if loved ones or pets have passed on. Involve the seniors in your life, neighborhood and place of worship in as much as you can. A phone call, card or even better, a personal visit can do wonders for everyone involved!
- Look for signs of depression. “Holiday blues” are feelings of profound sadness that can be provoked by all the activities of the holiday season. Seasonal blues can have an impact in the lives of older people. While a full range of emotions can be expected during the holiday season, be on the lookout for signs of depression, which should always be addressed.
- Stick to schedules as much as possible. During the holidays, it’s easy for everyone to get off of a regular sleeping and eating schedule. Be aware of your senior and make sure that they are getting enough rest, regular meals as well as taking all medications on time.
Most of all this holiday and always, take the time to sit down and enjoy one another. Be present, slow down, do things mindfully and don’t miss one single moment of it.
“Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and the wrong. Sometime in your life you will have been all of these."
-- Dr. Robert H. Goddard (American rocket engineer 1882-1945)
