The holidays are great time for celebrating with the entire family. If your family includes seniors, you may want to take some simple steps to help make the holidays successful for everyone – including the older people in your life.
 
I spoke with Cheryl Deep, spokesperson at the Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology, about ways to make holiday celebrations in the home comfortable for seniors.
 
Safety: If you don’t usually have an older person living at your home, it’s time to do a home safety inventory. “Take a careful look at where you place things,” said Deep.   Eliminate or move area rugs, and chairs with legs that protrude into high traffic areas – both can be tripping hazards. Remove clutter and make sure there are wide pathways for moving about. This is especially important if your senior uses a wheelchair or walker.
 
If you have fragile sculptures or knick knacks on tables or shelves that can be easily knocked over, you may want to move them temporarily to a different spot for safekeeping.
 
Warmth: If you’re transporting a senior from one place to another in the winter cold, make sure to bundle up! “Cold can affect older people much more quickly,” said Deep. Coats, hats, scarves and mittens are a must.
 
Medications: If your family member is coming from a nursing home or somewhere where he is helped with daily living, check with the nurse or caretaker in advance to know what medications may be needed. Ask about any additional details, such as toileting, you may be assisting with during the visit. Inquire about dietary restrictions well in advance for meal planning.
 
Light: “Older people need 40 percent more light to see as well as a 25 or 30-year-old,” said Deep. While mood lighting at the dinner table sets the stage for intimacy, it may mean your senior can’t see what she’s eating! Think about turning up the dimmer a notch or two.
 
Fatigue: “Be sensitive to signs of fatigue,” said Deep. We’re all tired after a big meal, seniors included! If your older family member starts nodding off or seems tired, it may be time to call it a day. If it’s not quite time to go home, consider preparing a room for afternoon napping.
 
Alcohol: Be aware that older people have a much lower tolerance for alcohol, especially on an empty stomach, said Deep. Alcohol can also interact with medications. Moderation is key, and in the case of medication interactions, abstention may be the best bet.
 
Music: Seniors have a harder time hearing when background noise is present. While soft music is fine, Deep suggests turning it way down or off for the meal. This way your senior can participate in conversation more easily.
 
On the other hand, having a sing-along after the meal is a great idea for seniors with dementia. People with dementia are often able remember words to songs they’ve sung for years, such as Christmas carols – even when they have trouble remembering many other things. “Even though they may have serious dementia, they still can still sing,” said Deep. “It can be one way to connect.”