Tips for a Safe & Merry Holiday Season

The long-awaited holiday season is a time for connecting with family and friends and celebrating traditions. This special time, while a joyous one, can also be eye-opening for families with older adults. 

Whether hosting an older adult or visiting one for the holidays, understanding the ways to ensure their safety and comfort will make all the difference in the world and in your celebration. 

Listen in to learn more about the following:

• Tips for older adults and caregivers to start the conversation with family and friends if care needs have changed for their holiday visit (e.g., significant weight loss or gain, wheelchair or relying heavily on a walker, incontinence, inability to do things for themselves, like eat or use the restroom, unpredictable behavior or memory and cognitive problems caused by Alzheimer’s or dementia)
• Steps individuals can take to prepare the home for older adults who will be visiting during the holidays (e.g., safety tips, fall prevention)
• Tips for supporting the mobility and independence of an older adult visiting home for the holidays
• Considerations to keep in mind when hosting older adults who may have care needs (e.g., emergency contact/doctor info/medicine info)
• Steps to take if one identifies that the current living environment is not meeting the care needs of the older adult
• Ways to keep older adults engaged in family activities in a safe yet fun manner (e.g., meal planning/prep, family photos, traditions) 
• Steps on starting the conversation about the next steps of care with an elderly loved one (e.g., one sibling takes care of the older adult, and other siblings realize more support is needed)
• Top 5 helpful tips to keep the holidays merry, safe and bright for older adults

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