The festive season is upon us. Christmas lights are already twinkling brightly and we are listening to Christmas songs on repeat.
At Crouched Friars, we believe that the holidays are a special time to connect with loved ones, create lasting memories and spread some festive cheer.
We are gearing up for the festive season with a whole host of seasonal events and activities for our residents. So we thought we would share some of our top tips for spending Christmas in a care home.
Christmas in a Care Home
Christmas is about more than just celebrating on the 25th December. At Crouched Friars, we enjoy a variety of festive activities and events in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.
Here are some of our favourite festive activities we do at Crouched Friars:
Decorating
Decorating is a great way to begin the festivities!
Getting residents to help decorate communal areas such as living spaces and dining rooms, as well as decorating their own rooms, helps to evoke feelings of nostalgia and comfort.
At Crouched Friars, our residents have been making some fabulous festive decorations to be displayed across the home.
Christmas crafts
Making homemade decorations, Christmas cards or gifts is another great way for residents to feel engaged with the festive season, as well as helping their concentration and fine motor skills.
Our residents have been busy making Christmas cards to send to their loved ones.
Music & entertainment
Music and entertainment are a key part of care home life throughout the year.
During the festive season, arranging a variety of entertainment, such as performances by local choirs and schools, as well as screenings of classic Christmas films, can help residents feel the festive spirit.
Christmas parties & events
Christmas is a time to celebrate and a festive party is a great way to do that.
Invite residents to dress up, enjoy some classic Christmas tunes and indulge in delicious food and drink. Christmas parties offer a joyful social environment, alleviating feelings of isolation and anxiety, as well as enhancing the overall well-being of residents.
Festive trips out & about
Although the weather can be cold, there are a whole host of fun and festive things for residents to enjoy outside of a care home.
From church services to a good old fashioned pantomime, getting out and about at this time of year provides social interaction, sensory stimulation and engagement for residents.
At Crouched Friars, we have a tradition of delivering cupcakes and cookies to our local A&E department a week before Christmas to show our appreciation for how hard they all work.
Engaging with the local community
A strong sense of community is essential to care home life and the festive season is a great opportunity to bring together your residents with the wider community.
Inviting other local elderly individuals who may be alone at Christmas to join the festivities, organising community carol services or partnering with local schools and community events are all great ways to engage your residents with the local community during the festive season.
Special visitors
Christmas is a time to spend with those we love and that is no different for residents living in a care home. For many though, their families and loved ones live far away and they may not be able to spend Christmas Day together.
Organising a family festive day, where residents’ loved ones can come and enjoy spending time together, playing games, exchanging presents or even having a FaceTime call if in-person visits aren’t possible, can ensure that residents and their families spend quality time together during the festive season.
If you’d like to learn more about Crouched Friars in Colchester, Essex, please call us at 01206 572647 to book a viewing.