Celebrating In An Elder Care Facility

Celebrating the holidays doesn't mean giving up on old family traditions for those living in an elder care facility. Christmas, Easter and even birthdays can still be joyous times for the entire family as long as memories are made. This guide offers suggestions on how to make the most of family celebrations regardless of where they are held.

Celebrating Birthdays

Many elder care facilities typically hold birthday parties once a month for all the residents who were born during that month. They are held in a common area with cake and coffee or tea served. Families can make this day even more special by personally celebrating with the birthday guest. Check the rules of the elder care facility about parties, but some ideas for celebrating a senior's birthday include:

• Decorating his or her room or apartment with balloons, streamers and birthday signs


• Holding a private party for family members in the dining room with dinner (brought in by the family), dessert and gifts


• If possible, taking the resident out to dinner at a nice restaurant or at the home of a family member


• Celebrating with cake and ice cream in the resident's room or apartment


• Having fresh flowers delivered

Thanksgiving Celebration

Because Thanksgiving is typically celebrated with a large feast, it is nice to celebrate the day at the elder care facility where you or your loved one lives. Family members can check with the administration ahead of time for cost and availability, but ask about sharing in the holiday meal that the residents eat on Thanksgiving. What a wonderful day to celebrate new traditions! Many of the residents who are alone on this day will also enjoy the company.

Another option on Thanksgiving is to bring in a home-cooked meal to eat in the resident's room, apartment or even the dining room during the off-hours. Arrange this ahead of time. Finally, some restaurants serve full Thanksgiving meals on this holiday. A family dinner at a nice restaurant also is a pleasant way to spend the day.

Festive Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful holiday to spend with family and friends, and even though you or your loved one aren't in a traditional home setting, you can still make many memories together. Here are some ideas to make the holidays a little merrier:

• Before you or your loved one moves into an elder care facility, make sure a family member saves and packs away some of the more sentimental Christmas ornaments and decorations. These will brighten up room or apartment during the holidays


• Pipe in some old-time Christmas favorites such as White Christmas or Silent Night via iPod or CD player


• Decorate the room with a wreath, cinnamon-scented pine cones and a small, artificial tree. Stay away from live trees and Christmas lights because of their fire or safety hazards


• Make a scrapbook or photo album of earlier Christmas holidays


• Bring in some family favorite Christmas foods


• Eat a family dinner at a nice restaurant on Christmas Eve

Points to Remember

Holiday visits to elder care facilities should follow the house rules. Plan to visit around the meal and medication schedules. Call ahead to make arrangements to take the resident out for an afternoon or evening of holiday cheer.