Going into the new year can be difficult for some seniors, especially those who have lost a loved one, experienced a serious injury, or been diagnosed with an age-related health condition. Family caregivers need to make sure their elderly loved ones remain positive and active. Encourage your loved one to celebrate with family and friends instead of staying at home alone. Here are some of the many ways seniors can celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Hold a Mock Countdown
Most seniors will be asleep when the clock strikes midnight, but this doesn’t mean they should give up the countdown celebration altogether. You can do a mock countdown with your loved one and schedule it to coincide with other time zones. It is always midnight somewhere, so make sure to have the party hats and noisemakers handy. You should also have some sparkling water or fresh juice in champagne flukes when it’s time for the celebratory toast.
To ensure your loved one has a happy and healthy new year, consider hiring a respite or live-in caregiver. In Albuquerque, home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Attend a Church Service
Many churches host New Year’s Eve services each year, which is often referred to as watchnight service. At this celebration, attendees listen to the choirs sing a few selections, seek prayer, and listen to the pastor speak. Going to church allows seniors to celebrate the holiday without all the noise, while being surrounded by others who share their religious views. Your loved one can socialize with other members of the church instead of being alone on New Year’s Eve.
For families living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Go Out to Dinner
Seniors are more likely to withdraw from social activities and become depressed around the holidays. However, going to dinner with the family on New Year’s Eve is a good way for seniors to socialize, get some fresh air, and eat. Encourage your loved one to help when picking the restaurant, and make sure the menu has healthy options. Do not wait to make reservations because many locations fill up quickly on this date. Going out to dinner on New Year’s Eve allows your loved one to engage with family and friends, which could boost his or her mood, stimulate his or her brain, and reduce stress.
Throw a Resolution Party
At the party, have the participants write down their New Year’s resolutions, and give them the option to change their resolutions throughout the night. Once it is time for the game, place the resolutions in a hat or jar and shake it up. Participants will need to guess who wrote the resolution and write it down. Whoever guesses the most resolutions correctly will be the winner. At this party, guests can also create a capsule detailing their favorite things from the year. At next year’s resolution party, everyone can meet up again and open the capsule. They can also see who stuck with their resolutions from the previous year. Writing down resolutions and guessing others’ resolutions allows your loved one to enhance his or her critical thinking skills and short and long-term memory.
With the help of a compassionate caregiver, you can make this New Year’s Eve a joyous and memorable one. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your elderly loved one, call us at 505-798-0800 today.
