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According to a research, loneliness and isolation among the elderly during Christmas is a major cause for a spike in admissions to the accident and emergency departments of hospitals. In another study, it was discovered that frailty was not the main reason for the elderly being admitted to the hospitals, 86 percent of those studied were admitted to the hospitals from their own homes and 45 percent of the elderly people studied reported social isolation. That is a wake-up call for all to do something to reduce the feeling of loneliness and forlornness among the elderly residing in nursing care homes. So, what would an individual do to ease the pain of loneliness at Christmas for those in a nursing care home? Spend time with them. Spending time with the elderly, either at home or in a nursing care facility, is one of the most important things you can do to alleviate the feeling of loneliness and boredom during the Christmas holiday. You can choose an activity they can take part in so that they may also have fun or at least distract from their feeling of loneliness. You may look at holiday videos or photos together and you may also leave them the photos in an accessible place so that they can look at them when they wish to travel down memory lane. Old people love to reminisce. You can also play soft soothing music. When you visit them during the Christmas holiday, carry some meals for dinner and make their dinner table special. Try to decorate the table with some appropriate themes and colors so the elderly may feel valued. Can you gather your elders’ friends and see if they can congregate at an appointed place and party a bit? That will definitely infill them with joy and happiness as they meet up with their old peers. If you know your elders’ favorite dishes, prepare it and bring it so they can share it with their fellows. You can coordinate with the care facility to create programs that feature children during Christmas. If it is possible, you can take the elders out to a school or church program where kids perform. You can also bring your children to visit the elderly during the Christmas holiday. The presence of small children is one surefire way to cheer up and lighten an elderly person who might be going through a physical or emotional pain. Elderly people are prone to feeling useless and unwanted. You can help them a great deal if you will remind them and make them feel important. They should see themselves as part of the Christmas celebration and part of the entire family. However, be very careful not to act or show them that you are doing that as a duty you owe them. This can be especially difficult because often a tired body language is easy to show through. The trick is to put yourself in their shoes and feel their pain and their frustrations. That way, you can genuinely attend to them in nursing care homes without making them feel as though they are burdening you. They may sometimes feel burdensome and useless. You should remind them that they are loved and that you care for them. In conclusion, you should know how to strike a balance between your devotion to your family- spouse and children- and your responsibility to care for your elderly. Both need you. However, your time is the priceless gift you can grant your elders during this festive season.
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