Adapting Family Traditions for an Aging Loved One in Boise, ID
Hosting Family Meals and Events This Holiday Season
As we age, our health needs and abilities change. It’s natural that traditions also have to evolve, but sometimes it can be tough to accept that things aren't like they used to be. Different doesn’t have to mean bad. Talk to your loved one and find a happy middle ground so you can enjoy a memorable and fun holiday together.
Be gentle in approaching this conversation. Sometimes people are reluctant to “give up” or modify long-standing holiday traditions. Your loved one may perceive the changes as being a burden or losing their place in the family. We recommend not pressing the issue too much unless there’s a real safety concern. Instead, offer to help with whatever tasks your loved one needs or will allow you to do, such as holiday prep work, cleaning, or cooking.
In many families, the matriarch or patriarch historically hosts the holiday gathering. But as you likely are well aware, hosting is a lot of work, and it can be exhausting for anyone. Talk to your loved one to gauge their feelings about having another relative host this year. Or, if possible, offer to hold the event at your house, and invite your loved one to bring a dish to share or come over early to help prepare the meal.
Often, aging adults feel less intimidated about sharing the responsibilities than having all the tasks taken away. They are still in charge, and they can cherry-pick their favorite tasks. Easing just a portion of their responsibilities can reduce stress without making them feel inadequate or like you’re patronizing them.
Changing a Seniors Diet for Food-Related Health Concerns
If your aging loved one has diabetes, high blood pressure, or another health concern, holiday food and beverage choices can be a touchy conversation. But with a few exceptions and some planning, it’s usually safe for most people to indulge a bit for one day.
It’s also thoughtful to provide sugar-free, gluten-free, and low-sodium options of popular dishes. People of all ages are mindful of their health, and this allows everyone to enjoy with less worry. We tried this at my family’s Thanksgiving dinner this year. We prepared two sweet potato dishes. The traditional one was absolutely loaded with brown sugar and butter. The second was plain sweet potatoes with no toppings. Both were delicious, and it was nice for some of my family members who were watching their weight or being more mindful of healthy eating to have that option.
Another holiday tradition is holiday cocktails. For most people who don’t have a history of alcohol-related issues, it’s OK to have a drink or two during the holidays. However, if your loved one is on a medication that might interact with alcohol, such as anxiety, depression, or sleep medication, it’s probably best to skip the drinks to avoid dangerous side effects. Also, if you notice that too many cocktails are being consumed and your loved one might be at risk, you should intervene and provide a safe place to rest, hydrate, and recover.
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Source: https://www.brightstarcare.com/blog/family-tradition-holidays
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