Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and families around Texas are getting ready to celebrate this traditional holiday with loved ones.
Due to health reasons, some loved ones are unfortunately unable to leave their homes for the holidays. This should never be a reason to miss out on a treasured family event.
Here are 6 of our best holiday tips for keeping a homebound individual comfortable and happy during the holidays.
Eliminate Their Need to Travel
A person who can’t leave their home for holiday gatherings can easily feel isolated at this time of the year. One of the best ways to include a homebound loved one in the Thanksgiving festivities is to bring the celebration to them.
Since they are unable to leave their home, work with your family and their long-term home care specialist to create a comfortable celebration that lets them feel included in the cheerful fun.
Plan Guests Around Their Condition
Keep in mind that even though you are bringing the festivities to them, you should always consider how your loved one will feel about the number of people in their home.
If they are living with a progressive neurological condition or don’t have a large amount of space in their home, plan your guest list accordingly.
We recommend keeping the initial celebration small or in rotating small groups throughout the day, giving your loved one time to mentally and physically recharge between visits.
Include Your Loved Ones in the Celebration
Even when the holidays are hosted at a loved one’s home, it’s still possible for them to feel left out as the family hustles and bustles around to create the perfect Thanksgiving.
Before the event, create a list of longstanding holiday traditions your loved one cherishes. From there, work with the individual’s skilled nursing or home health aide to modify traditions and keep your family members safe and happy.
Some examples of modifications could be:
- Set out lightweight decorations they can safely set up for the event
- Assist them with the carving of your turkey or roast
- Helping them add ingredients to their favorite dish as you take over placing it in or out of the oven
Ask for Help From Their Long-Term Home Care Specialist
Long-term home care specialists are always eager to help your family when the need arises. Whether you need light housekeeping done, assistance with shopping, or someone to help feed your loved one at the dinner table, a home health aide can help make the holidays run smoother while your family and friends focus on the main prep and cooking for the celebration.
Think Twice About Your Menu
If your loved one has a physical condition that makes chewing difficult, keep these needs in mind when creating your meal plan. Aside from the traditional menu items, make sure to include easy-to-chew foods at your gathering.
Some examples of go-to foods include:
- Soft rolls
- Salmon
- Mashed potatoes
- Cranberry sauce
- Sweet potatoes
Traditional foods like turkey, ham, and roast beef are also great options; only, make sure that they get the juiciest, most tender portions.
Help Out as Much as Possible
As much as your loved one may want to perform physically taxing tasks, they could be unsafe for their health.
Whether you set the table or help clean up the house after the dinner has ended, any little bit you can do during the holidays helps. Even after the Thanksgiving holiday, keep yourself open to help with holiday shopping, sending out holiday cards, and wrapping gifts.
Keep Your Loved Ones Healthy and Happy Year-Round, With Angel Home Healthcare Services
If the holiday seasons have proven difficult in the past for your family and homebound family members, let the home health care professionals of Angel Home Healthcare Services help!
We are ready to bring compassionate, reliable services that boost their quality of health care from the comfort of their own home. Contact us today to learn more about our home health services and how we can help bring the “care” back into your loved one’s health care routines.