How To Host A Senior-Friendly Holiday Party

The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it, an opportunity for families to come together, celebrate their shared past and create new memories for the future.

Hosting a family gathering is no small task, especially when trying to make the event welcoming to older relatives who may have needs that differ from younger family members. Read on for tips on how to set the stage for a successful holiday party that feels welcoming to guests of all ages.

1. Understand the needs of your guests

No two guests are alike, and understanding the particular needs of your older guests is key to your planning from step one.

Consider what time of day your older guests feel most alert and comfortable, and try to time the gathering to match that time. If your loved one is an early riser, consider hosting a brunch or lunch event. If they feel more comfortable at night, a dinner party may be in order.

When planning, don’t be afraid to ask your older guests if there are particular times you should be mindful of, like when they take medicine, test their blood sugar, or perform other time-sensitive care activities. If there are things they need to do at certain times, set some alarms for yourself to provide a reminder – this lets your guest focus on socializing without worrying about watching the clock.

Boisterous family gatherings can be a lot of fun, but a good host will consider the energy level of their guests and provide quieter spaces if a guest needs a short rest. This can be a bedroom or other space with a comfortable chair, bed, pillows, or anything else they may need to relax for a few minutes should the need arise.

2. Create a welcoming environment

The normal layout of your home may not be particularly friendly for an older adult guest, particularly if they have mobility, vision, or hearing challenges. Fortunately, these can be overcome with a little planning.

When preparing for guests, take time to ensure the walkways in your home are clear of obstacles and arrange furniture for easier navigation. Check your home for area rugs and either ensure they are secured to the floor or remove them entirely to reduce the risk of a fall.

Speaking of furniture, try to place a comfortable seat in every room you expect to entertain guests. A comfortable chair with good back support and arms to aid in sitting and standing greatly reduces the risk of falls and ensures your older guest remains comfortable.

Finally ensure your home is well lit and keep background music to a low level. This is particularly helpful for older adults with difficulty hearing, and can promote better conversations among your guests.

3. Planning a senior-friendly menu

The best way to ensure your older loved one is comfortable at the dinner table is by getting a sense of their current dietary needs and discussing the menu ahead of time.

If your loved one has dietary restrictions, consider marking food cooked for your older guest with a particular colored plate/bowl, or add a label to the container. When preparing food for your older guests, also consider serving smaller food items, or softer items that can be easier to swallow.

If your loved one struggles with manual dexterity, it may be wise to add adaptive utensils to their place setting or aim to serve food that is either precut or requires minimal cutting.

Lastly, keep in mind that some common medications can cause negative reactions when taken with alcohol or caffeine, so plan to have non alcoholic drinks and decaffeinated drinks available throughout the event.

4. Support and communication

It’s quite common for guests to want to minimize what they ask of their host, but when it comes to older adults who may have special needs, the impulse to “not make a fuss” can have a serious impact on their enjoyment of the event.

Prior to the event, consider working with your trusted family members to designate a small number of people who can sit alongside your older loved one and provide assistance as needed. Having someone nearby who your loved one feels comfortable with can make it easier for them to articulate their needs, and having a few people helping means everyone can take turns and give each other breaks to mingle with other guests.

When planning your event, take some time to think about accessible activities that can encourage guests from different generations to interact. Pulling out photo albums or family videos can be a great way to get the conversation going. Alternatively, setting up a crafting or coloring table can be a good way to encourage younger guests to spend time with your older loved ones. If your family is inclined towards board games, consider setting out games with easy to understand rules like Uno or checkers. If you are worried that a board game or other activity might be too involved for your older loved one to engage with, consider pairing them with one of their “assistants” to keep the game moving.

Hope you find these tips useful as you plan your next family event, and if your loved one is experiencing dementia, we strongly recommend reading our article on dementia-friendly family gatherings.

SelectCare’s team of dedicated home health care experts has 40 years of experience helping New Yorkers live happier, healthier lives in their long time homes. In addition to in-home care, our compassionate caregivers are happy to join your or a loved one to family gatherings this holiday season.

To learn more about how we help, call SelectCare, read testimonials from past and current SelectCare clients, or request a free in-home health care guide today.