Senior-Friendly Holiday Activities and Meals
When looking for holiday entertainment and recipes for your whole family, finding the right activities can be challenging. Thankfully, there are plenty of holiday activities and meals that everyone, including seniors, can enjoy and participate in.
Here are some ideas if you're looking for senior-friendly holiday activities and meals.
Fun Holiday Activities for Seniors
The holidays can be a great occasion for seniors, allowing them to get out of the house and stay active. Here are some fun holiday activities they and the entire family can enjoy.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
A white elephant gift exchange is an exciting activity that can bring out laughter in anyone, including seniors. The rules are simple. All participants bring a wrapped gift anonymously. At the start of the game, each player draws a number. Then, each player takes turns either opening a new present or stealing from another.
The point of the game is to exchange unique novelties or gag gifts, allowing for lots of laughter and fun.
Holiday Movie Marathon
A movie marathon of classic holiday movies is a great event for seniors. You can pick out some of the all-time traditional favorites like "It's A Wonderful Life," "A Christmas Story," or even a modern choice like "Elf." Exploring each other's favorite movies is a great way to bond and learn more about your loved ones. It's also an activity that doesn't require much effort for seniors who may have mobility issues or are not up for more strenuous activities.
Play Games or Put Together a Puzzle
Card games and board games make for great holiday activities for seniors. Card games like Go Fish or Rummy are easy to learn and provide hours of entertainment.
If you're looking for a more brain-teasing activity, puzzles can mentally stimulate seniors and allow them to get creative. As we age, it's important to keep our brains active, and puzzles provide a great opportunity to do just that.
Holiday Meals for Seniors
For many, holiday meals are the highlight of the season. Here are some meal ideas that seniors can enjoy during the holidays.
Light Soups
Soups are easy to digest and can often be made in bulk for leftovers. Adding chunks of vegetables and some protein can make light soups more filling and provide the nutrients that seniors need.
For seniors, light options such as vegetable soup or chicken and rice are great options.
Holiday Comfort Foods
Comfort foods are a great way to bring a smile to your senior loved one's face, and thankfully, many of the classics can be tweaked to suit the whole family. For example, mashed potatoes are easy to eat and can be made with reduced fat and less salt. Or steamed vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes can also work.
Desserts
Light desserts like a meringue tart or baked apples with cinnamon can be delicious, and seniors can enjoy a few bites without worry.
Sweets like banana pudding or pumpkin pie are also soft and a great alternative if your senior loved one isn't a fan of meringue.
Conclusion
The holidays should be enjoyed by everyone in your family—including your senior relatives. With these ideas for both activities and meals, everyone can have an enjoyable time this season, no matter their age. Just be sure to be patient and pay attention to the individual needs of your senior loved ones.
At Visiting Angels North Port, FL, home care providers we refer to clients and their families understand the unique needs of seniors. Call us at 941-496-9600 or contact us online to learn how we can help your senior loved ones this holiday season.