Planning Care For Your Loved One During The Holidays

Seeing your elderly loved one during Festive holidays might be challenging, but there are ways to ensure they don't spend the festive season alone.

Organizing Holiday Care

In the UK, 450,000 elderly individuals are facing the holidays by themselves. However, support is available to prevent anyone from experiencing a lonely Christmas.

Christmas often brings laughter, celebration, and joy. Yet, for the bereaved and lonely elderly, it can also be a time of sadness and isolation.

Factors like dementia, disability, and disease, along with friends and family being pulled in different directions, can lead to many people experiencing a lonely festive season. Fortunately, support is available to bring some holiday cheer. As Age UK states, ‘no one should have no one at Christmas’. So, if you or a loved one is facing Christmas alone, don't suffer in silence.

Community Spirit

Many community Christmas events allow you to celebrate with others.

The Salvation Army organizes Christmas lunches, carol services, and sing-alongs. They also arrange visits for vulnerable elderly individuals, providing comfort and companionship to those who feel lonely and distressed during the holidays.

Most local religious organizations offer support and celebrations that align with your personal beliefs.

Community Christmas is a charity that believes no elderly person should be alone on Christmas Day unless they choose to be. They support communities in hosting social events with food, drink, and entertainment. It can be an opportunity to reconnect with old friends or make new ones, spreading cheer that lasts beyond December 25th.

Help at Home

Consider hiring a caregiver to provide holiday assistance at home, along with perhaps some mince pies and friendly conversation.

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The level of support can be tailored to each person's needs, ranging from a few hours to help with meals and housework, to live-in caregivers who provide support throughout the holiday season. A caregiver can offer you rest and peace of mind, knowing your loved one is safe.

If you need a caregiver during the festive season, a hometouch Care Advisor is available, even on Christmas Day!

Befriending Services

Age UK and Friends of the Elderly provide friendly conversations and a listening ear to elderly individuals feeling lonely throughout the year. These interactions can be in person or over the phone, offering a vital connection during the winter months when getting out is more challenging.

Contact the Elderly is a charity focused on addressing loneliness and social isolation among older adults. They organize monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for small groups, creating a regular and essential friendship link. During Christmas, these events become even more festive and enjoyable.

Residential Respite

A short stay in a residential home can be a great option during the Christmas period.

Care homes are typically beautifully decorated at this time of year, offering numerous activities for entertainment and amusement. With many people around, they can receive the care they need in a social setting.

Not Just Turkey

If meal preparation is the main concern, a home caregiver can provide light meals and share them with your loved one.

Alternatively, you could arrange for a meal service to deliver hot or frozen meals, even on Christmas Day. While Meals on Wheels is the original provider and still active, there are many local specialized services, so explore the options in your area.