The holiday season is one that most of us greatly enjoy. The sights and sounds of the holidays are known for inspiring warm and festive moods. However, for families that include seniors, there is a constant concern about safety. Holiday celebrations can often be loud and boisterous. Will the older adult in your family be comfortable with all the added commotion? Let’s take a look at how you can gift your elderly loved ones with safe holiday celebrations.
Prepare healthy holiday treats.
The holiday season is well known for its good eats. By “good”, we mean “delicious” and “flavourful”. High-fat and high-sugar treats are the norm at holiday celebrations. This is why it’s important to be mindful about the nutrition of your elderly loved one. Consider preparing food choices that are low in sugar, salt and fat content. Up the fruit and vegetable platters and limit the cookies and cakes.
“From fatty foods to tantalizing tasty treats, the holidays are the perfect way to gain a few extra pounds,” says Hollywood, Florida’s Assisting Hands Home Care Agency, “But a good tip to keep in mind is to prepare meals while keeping other holiday events in mind. For instance, if a big dinner is served during Christmas Eve, keep it lighter, like a chicken salad on Christmas.”
Be mindful of your electrical decorations.
When decorating your home for the holidays, you are likely to put up a lot of colourful lights. Naturally, safety is of paramount importance when it comes to anything electrical. Toronto’s Carefect Home Health Care Services reminds us that the act of putting up lights means having extra electrical cords strung out over your home. They could become fall and trip hazards for your elderly loved ones.
“Your Christmas lights could also be a fire risk,” warns their site, “Do not skimp on the quality of your Christmas lights and lit decorations. Some lower quality lights may cause electrical shortages which lead to electrical fires. Christmas decorations and lights also should be in areas where there are adequate outlets. Do not string extension cords across your floor or hide them under rugs. The extension cords could cause problems for your loved ones if they shuffle their feet or if they use a walker or a cane.”
Drink plenty of water.
There is rarely ever a list of health tips that doesn’t include the benefits of drinking water. The act of staying hydrated is extremely important for people of all ages all year round. However, during the holiday season, when we are more likely to indulge in high-calorie eating and drinking, it’s vital to consume water. As Assisting Hands Home Care Agency points out, this is particularly important for the elderly.
“One of the best ways to stay healthy is to choose water over sugary drinks like soda, juice, and alcohol,” their website advises, “Especially for seniors, not drinking enough fluids can lead to hospitalization. To make it easier for yourself, keep water easily accessible at home and always bring a bottle of water with you when running errands.”
Invest in a mobility solution.
For many seniors, mobility issues prevent them from enjoying the holidays. At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we identify product solutions that match their specific needs. This gives them freedom and independence all over their homes. We have many high-quality mobility solutions available. We would be happy to consult with you to fully understand what you’re trying to accomplish. That way, you can purchase the best solutions for your elderly loved ones.
To learn more, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
