
2. Reflect on Years Gone By Pick a few important years from your parent’s life, such as the year he or she got married, or when children were born. Sit down together to look at photos of those days and talk about what they were like.
3. Have a Singalong Listening to music and sharing singalongs are two great activities for seniors with dementia in particular. Start by making a playlist with your loved one of all his or her favorite songs. You can do this online via YouTube or a free music service, such as Spotify. You can also skip this step and simply play your parent’s favorite CD's or musical movie. The real fun is in singing along together. If your senior has Alzheimer's learn music therapy tips to help them engage with this activity even more.
4. Make a Party Hat A custom party hat is an easy New Year’s craft that seniors of all cognitive and physical abilities can make. Help your parent measure a piece of construction paper to his or her head, then ask them to decorate it. Markers, stickers, stamps, and glitter pens are all great supplies to have on hand—there’s no right or wrong way.
5. Set New Year’s Intentions For many, New Year’s resolutions trigger thoughts of weight loss or career goals, two topics that aren’t very relevant for seniors. Instead, come up with positive intentions for the coming year, such as spending time together, enjoying lifelong passions like music and art, or simply taking time to appreciate the little things, like the sound of birds or changing seasons.
For more ways to adapt holiday activities to suit seniors’ unique needs, visit our senior care blog about adapting family traditions for an aging loved one. You can also learn about our senior care services and companion care services, where our caregivers can engage in stimulating activities with seniors that can help them avoid loneliness, enjoy the company of another adult and get the assistance that they need to thrive.