By: Erika Smith, Community Life Coordinator
When we are young our vision of the holidays can be remembered with family gatherings, driving around to see the Christmas lights and all the holiday baking that takes place at home. As we reminisce about all the traditions that we had within our families it brings a sense of great joy and happiness back to us. Holiday music playing, kids running around the house in their holiday outfits and the overwhelming amount of food that everyone brings to share.
Then we become older some traditions stay and some turn into new traditions, but the sense of family can never be forgotten. There are so many things we want to share with those around us, especially children, grandchildren and possibly great grandchildren. How do with keep the spirit of not only the holidays alive but the wonderful memories of home. By doing the things we enjoy doing such as holiday baking, decorating the Christmas tree, gardening, sewing, movie nights, polka bands and more.
Then it finally comes, the time to move your loved one out of their home that they have known for so many years, shared numerous memories and began a new chapter in their life as they aged. Moving to a Senior Community wasn’t on their list to do, but how can you help them cope, especially during the holidays? By doing similar things as they did at home and keeping some of those holiday traditions alive.
Enjoying old hobbies, learning new hobbies, meeting new friends and enjoying life within that community helps your loved one to adjust to their new surroundings. Woodstone tries to do just that. We try to help encourage the residents to live life to the fullest, try new things, go new places and so much more. When it comes to the holidays it can be tough because it’s not home. Residents this year had a great time during our holiday cookie exchange. The holiday music was playing, staff and residents we singing and dancing, the smell of hot apple cider was brewing and the joy of making cookies together made it feel a little like home. By the smiles on their faces we knew we made it feel like home, even if it was just for a little bit.
