1. Watch for signs that your senior friend or relative is getting tired. Be aware that all the activity that might be in your house is not necessarily what your elder is used to. Bringing in a lot of noise and excitement might be best reserved for short periods of time. Watch for agitation, irritation or sleepiness.

2. Schedule smaller groups of people for multiple visits. Rather than having all of the grandchildren drop by at once, schedule them in so that they can get personal time with grandma or grandpa while keeping the activity level lower at the same time.

3. Ask that anyone who is not well stay home; even a sniffle can be a danger for our elders. The last thing anyone needs to do is expose our elders to swine flu or even a cold.

4. Have Purell hand sanitizer close by the front door and ask anyone entering to use it to limit germs. You might also try and limit kissing and close contact, although that’s a tough one.

5. Contact the caregiver prior to the visit to see if there are any dietary restrictions or to get gift ideas.

6. Be sure to get any medications that will need to be taken with meals or during the length of their stay.

7. Limit alcohol consumption as it could react with any medications that are being taken. An easy alternative is to serve non-alcoholic wine to them.

8. Have a bed or a quite place available for them to take a rest or remove themselves from the hustle and bustle in the house, offer to go for a walk with them or ask them about what their childhood or Christmas memories are.

9. Help them get their plates at a buffet or better yet, bring a plate of food to them so they can just relax.

With a bit of preparation, you can ensure that holiday visits remain cheerful and fun for all involved. Remember… they love being with you and enjoy having the opportunity to do something different and be with family. The time you spend with them is a gift to both of you, although it can be frustrating and different than past years it is a god thing. They won’t be around forever…

for more information and resources visit:

Help Seniors Celebrate the Holidays

With Christmas right around the corner there is so much to think about. Did you get all of your gifts? What are we going to eat? When will there be time to clean the house? The list goes on. While it is a very enjoyable and wonderful time of year it is important to remember that for some, it simply isn’t. With the loss of loved ones, a depressed economy, war, and broken relationships this time of year can be very hard for some people. As we go through our days with the hustle and bustle of shopping, cheer, carols, and busy take time to comfort those you know and don’t know. Be kind to the people in line, be patient if the sales clerk takes a while, you never know what kind of Christmas this person is having and whose father, daughter, brother, sister, friend, or mother has recently fought for your freedom, died unexpectedly, or is simply nowhere to be found. We need each other. Be a part of making someone else’s Christmas just a little brighter. We know the reason for the season… shouldn’t our thoughts, actions and words reflect it? I think so. Recently I found an article about holiday blues. pass this on or use it for yourself.

If you feel blue, try to:

Get out and about: Ask family and friends for help traveling to parties and events. Invite family and friends over.

Volunteer: Helping others is a great mood lifter. To volunteer contact your local United Way (it’s listed in the phone book or check www.unitedway.org); or call local schools, churches, synagogues or mosques and ask about volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood.

Limit the eggnog: Too much alcohol can lower your spirits.

Accept your feelings: There’s nothing “wrong” with not feeling jolly; many people get the blues during the holidays.

Confide in someone: Talk about your feelings; it can help you understand why you feel the way you do.

Recognize warning signs of depression: Holiday blues are usually temporary and mild but depression is more serious and can linger unless you get help. Look for these signs:

• sadness that won’t lift; loss of interest or pleasure
• changes in appetite or weight or sleeping a lot more or a lot less than usual
• crying often
• feeling restless or tired all the time
• feeling worthless or helpless or guilty
• slowed thinking
• thoughts of death or suicide

Start the healing: If you’re depressed, see your healthcare provider. Depression is very treatable.

If an older loved one has the blues or seems depressed:

Include them: Invite them out and to get-togethers. Take into account their needs – for transportation or special diets.

Lend a hand: Offer help with shopping, and preparations for get-togethers in their homes.

Be a good listener: Encourage your loved one to talk about how he or she is feeling. Acknowledge “difficult” feelings, including a sense of loss if family or friends have died or moved away.

Encourage him or her to talk with a healthcare provider: Many older people don’t realize when they’re depressed, so if you suspect depression, you may need to bring it up more than once. Let your loved one know depression is a medical illness and is nothing to be ashamed of.

Where to get more information: For more on depression in older adults visit the Web site of the American Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA). Go to http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/chapters_ch_trial.asp?ch=32.

During our time together I was able to help her find some things online that she needed, recycle her old ink cartridges, pull somethings down off a high shelf, carry things downstairs and give my 2 cents on a few projects she was working on. All of these things she probably could have done on her own or found someone to help her, but as her granddaughter it was a treasure to be the one to offer a hand. After all the years and time she has invested into my life, who better to lend a hand and return the favor. So the question is, have you given a hand or checked in with one of your treasures? With the holidays coming up, usually we are thankful and helpful for a month or so, but why not start sooner? How about starting now, before it becomes cliche and expected. Just a thought. It might not make a difference to you, but they sure would love to see and hear from you.