How to Help the Elderly at Christmas

The holiday season is a busy time as individuals rush about shopping for gifts, cooking tasty treats and 

spending time with their family.  Often overlooked during the Christmas holiday season are elderly

individuals and shut-ins. Their holidays can be lonely and depressing as distance prevents them from 

spending time with their family and physical limitations stop them from doing traditional holiday activities. 

However, you can be a bright spot for them during the holidays.

• Spend time with them. Elderly individuals are often lonely due to the fact they have little interaction with others during the day. Many elderly people just enjoy conversing with others, and you stopping by just to chat can make their day.
• Bring them holiday goodies or gifts. Everyone enjoys receiving presents or goodies and the elderly are no different. Making something or purchasing a gift is a great way to show an elderly individual that you care about them and they haven't been forgotten.
• Offer assistance in decorating their house for the holidays. Although many elderly individuals would like to have a Christmas tree or lights on their house to enjoy for the holidays, they don't due to the physical limitations of their body. You can help them get what they want by offering to assist them in decorating their house. However, you must remember to help them take down decorations after the holidays as well since they won't be able to do it by themselves and may be too afraid to ask you.
• Take them with you to holiday activities. Many elderly individuals enjoy getting out to experience some of the holiday activities and traditions, yet they don't want to go alone. If you and your family are attending a holiday musical production or just driving around your neighborhood to look at Christmas lights invite an elderly friend or neighbor along to enjoy it with you.
• Assist them with holiday shopping. One of the best ways to help an elderly individual during the holiday season is to help them with their holiday shopping. Almost all elderly people have family that they will exchange gifts with during the holidays, thus they will need to do some shopping which can be intimidating due to the crowds and traffic. You can make their holiday shopping experience pleasant by offering to take them and be of assistance.