30 Ways to Reinvent the Holidays

Safe ways you can connect with senior loved ones this season Dear Friend, In a year unlike any other, the holidays are sure to look different, especially for seniors and their families. With a virus that most threatens those with underlying health conditions and people over the age of 65, and an increasingly digital world, older generations and their families are entering the holiday seasons with many questions about how to celebrate. For seniors especially, the holiday season will be hard. While our greater community sees new highs of COVID-19 cases, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends those most at risk, including seniors, stay home whenever possible. But even before the pandemic, senior loneliness was a growing trend among seniors and research points to it being as dangerous to health as chronic conditions including heart disease and dementia. This season, it’s never been more important to safely connect with older loved ones. This guide shows you how to safely celebrate and reinvent your holiday traditions. Our list is honed by Immanuel’s senior living experts, who believe firmly that thriving in retirement means connecting with those we love. Warmly, The Immanuel Team Reinvent Traditions Gratitude trees - We can’t think of a better time to add a new tree to the decorating festivities. Hang words of gratitude on this one, using ideas and 1 input from the entire family.

Advent as a family - Celebrate together this year through weekly or daily calls or video chats to light candles, display nativity scenes and prepare for 2 the holidays. Holidays around the world - From logs to menorahs and to , there’s no better time to celebrate lifelong learning by discovering holiday traditions around the world. Assign each family 3 member a country or tradition to research and share. 4 Serve and pay it forward. 5 Send children’s pictures, letters and well wishes to Immanuel seniors (learn how at Immanuel.com/blog-detail/connectiondrive).

6 Create cards for military personnel.

7 Donate to a charity in a loved one’s name. 8 Window caroling - Safely spread cheer this year through window caroling. Connect Digitally

Create a weekly standing Zoom/FaceTime/Google Meet/Skype/Facebook Portal meeting with the entire family. Our experts have found regular connection can be even more impactful than connecting only on 9 holidays. Avoid those awkward Zoom calls with some pre-planned ideas:

Favorite memories - Invite everyone to bring their favorite 10 holiday decorations or pictures to share festive memories, favorite , most memorable moments and more.

Gingerbread wars - Send each family member a 11 package with a few cookies, icing and sprinkles. Decorate on the chat and vote for the best.

Faithful readings - Share your favorite holiday 12 Bible verses.

Get crafty - Mail all the supplies needed for a fun, 13 holiday craft.

The reason for the season - Connect together in faith. 14 The host of the chat can share their screen to watch any streaming church service together.

Holiday movies - Watch your favorites together by 15 sharing your screen to a streaming movie.

Dress up - Come to the chat with Santa hats, elf ears and Rudolph noses - send the supplies 16 ahead of time and don’t forget to snap some screenshots! Connect Digitally

Decorate together - Table top trees and mini ornaments mailed ahead of time provide the perfect, festive virtual activity. 17 Holiday-themed games: 18 Charades 19

Name That Tune 20

Pictionary 21

Bingo 22

Trivia (parade.com/943457/parade/christmas-trivia/) 23

The Night Before - You’re never too young or old to hear your favorite holiday book or story. Invite Grandma or Grandpa to do the honors. 24

Holiday playlist - Set the mood with some festive music. Don’t forget to ask for everyone’s favorites. 25 Mail gifts - When you just can’t be there in person, there’s nothing like 26 a holiday package showing up at the door.

Holiday meals - Connect with local restaurants or grocery stores to send holiday meals to senior loved ones during video chats or anytime 27 throughout the season.

Secret Santa - Assign each family member a secret someone and mail a 28 special .

Virtual pen pals - Connect the old fashioned way this season. Provide themed questions or invite family members to share a favorite holiday 29 memory through pen and paper.

Family holiday cookbook - Ask family members ahead of time to submit their favorite holiday recipes. Compile into a special gift mailed 30 to each person. Things to Remember

 Keep Communication Open - Ask senior loved ones what they’re worried about this season, if they’re feeling lonely, or are concerned about their health.  Set Expectations - If you plan on holding in-person gathers with your senior loved ones, consider these recommendations from the CDC:*  Limit gatherings to less than 10 people.  Consider asking guests to quarantine or limit contact with others before arriving.  Ask guests to wear masks during the event to protect senior loved ones.  Adhere to proper hand washing and disinfecting practices.  Offer Support - Technology is an amazing tool for connecting with loved ones. But for seniors, navigating digital devices can be overwhelming and excluding. Consider gifting tablets with preloaded video chat apps for easy access or offer to help them with a training tutorial.

*https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

Immanuel is committed to balancing the health and wellbeing of those we serve. With infection control practices at the forefront, we’re helping residents build social connections, safely visit with family, and continue thriving through social distancing. Learn more at Immanuel.com Questions about retirement living or other support options for your senior loved one?

Contact us today at [email protected]

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