Columbia Aged Care

Christmas is only a couple of days away! Even though there is nothing wrong with indulging a little bit over Christmas – it is important to also keep a check on what you are eating, how much exercise you are getting and how much time you are taking out of your day to relax.

My Spring Day has provided a couple of points on how to stay healthy over the Christmas period.

1. Exercise
Try to exercise outside as much as possible and take advantage of sunny days! You don’t have to do anything extensive – a nice walk around the block is fine!

2. Water
Drink lots of water to keep you hydrated – especially on those hot summer days. If you know you are going to be eating unhealthy food at night try a Dandelion tea as it helps to detoxify the liver.

3. Sleep
It is important that you get plenty of rest and aim for 7-8 hours sleep every night. The body needs time to recover and mend and sleep is when it achieves this.

The Christmas period can be quite a frenzies time – take time out for yourself and be sure to stay healthy and active especially as you enter into the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

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During the holidays, your loved one may begin to feel isolated, left out or lonely. The best way to keep your loved one happy is to include them in the family holiday activities and preparations. Not only will this boost their self-esteem and morale but it will also keep them active and keep their mind engaged.

Comfort Keeper has provided some helpful ideas on how to include your loved one this holiday season.

Cook a favourite meal together. Get your loved one to help you make a dish that they loved as a child or a meal that was once prepared as a family tradition. Involving your loved one in the process will allow them to feel helpful and needed.

Take a drive to see the Christmas lights. Taking your loved one on a drive – especially if they are no longer able to drive – can be a great experience. Taking them to see the Christmas lights on Christmas Eve will make them feel happy and socially included.

Set up a Christmas tree together. Decorating a house or a tree can bring so much joy – especially if you or your children are helping your loved one to do it. Involving your loved one in ornamenting the tree or their house will help them to feel included and helpful.

If you live far away from your loved one or are unable to spend majority of the holidays with them, encourage them to join a social group, visit their friends and take part in holiday activities. Holiday seasons can become depressing so make sure your loved one feels connected to family and friends.

Read the full article here.

Christmas is a great time to get together with extended family and catch up with old friends. However, the elderly can find these times stressful, confusing or depressing if their needs are not considered.

Health issues and general symptoms of aging mean that older friends and family members have mental and physical requirements during family gatherings, trips and other holiday activities. Sharon O’Brien at About.com has provided some useful tips to help seniors enjoy Christmas.

• Stroll down memory lane. Encourage older people to share stories from their younger life, which are great for children too. Picture albums or old music can help stimulate memories.
• Schedule quiet time. When planning holiday activities, remember that older people can tire easily, particularly at large, loud gatherings. Reduce the chance of irritability by allowing for naps and quiet time.
• Eliminate obstacles. If a gathering is held in a place that is familiar to an older person who has memory impairment, avoid moving furniture. If it is in an unfamiliar place, remove slippery rugs and items that present a tripping hazard.
• Avoid embarrassing moments. If an elderly family member or friend has memory problems, be considerate when they forget events, and don’t embarrass them by saying ‘Don’t you remember?’
• Create new memories by adding something new to the traditional family activities, such as going for a drive to look at Christmas lights.
• Be inclusive. When everyone is helping to prepare a meal, find an easy, helpful task for the older person so that they are useful and part of the group.
• Reach out. Make contact with family members and old friends. Christmas can be particularly lonely for older people. If you notice that your elderly family member or friend is showing signs of depression, don’t ignore it. Take steps to help.
• Monitor medications and alcohol. Help seniors adhere to their medication schedule during the holidays and ask whether alcohol can interfere with their medication or illness.

Christmas is a great time to catch up with loved ones that you don’t see regularly. As long as you take their needs into consideration, older people usually love seeing their family and friends at Christmas.

Read the full article HERE.

Christmas is a busy time for most people as they rush to get everything organised. During this rush period elderly individuals often get over-looked and forgotten about.

It is important to remember that Christmas can often be a lonely and depressing time for the elderly. Here are some tips to help make this time happy and hassle free for the elderly individuals you know:

1. Spend time with them.
Elderly individuals are often lonely due to the fact they have little interaction with others during the day. Many elderly people just enjoy conversing with others, and you stopping by just to chat can make their day.

2. Take a small gift.
Everyone enjoys receiving a gift and the elderly are no different. Why not make a small gift, such as cooking some Christmas treats. They will appreciate the home made touch and it will show you care.

3. Help decorate their house or care room.
Many elderly still love Christmas decorations but due to their physical limitations are unable to put them up themselves. Helping do this will bring some Christmas cheer and will be a nice bonding experience. Don’t forget to help take them down after the festivities!

4. Take them along to your Christmas activities.
It is often difficult for the elderly to get around and often do not like going by themselves. If you are attending Christmas activities, such as the local carols by candlelight or your child’s school Christmas play, or even driving around the local neighbourhood to see the Christmas lights - offer to take them with you.

5. Assist with Christmas shopping. One of the best ways to help an elderly individual during the lead up to Christmas is to help them with their Christmas shopping. Almost all elderly people have family that they will exchange gifts with, thus they will need to do some shopping. This can often be an intimidating and frightening experience due to the crowds and the traffic.

You can make their Christmas shopping experience pleasant by offering to take them and helping them out.