Top 5 Tips to Manage a Socially Distant Holiday

Knowing that the holidays will feel different this year, doesn’t help us process the myriad of emotions that go with them.  Here are five tips to help your family member- and YOU have a more meaningful, socially distanced holiday.

Talk About It  

Acknowledging the “Elephant in the Room” with your family member can be really helpful. We are staying physically apart to protect each other from the spread of the virus. That doesn’t lessen our love, our spirit or our connection.  It is just different this year.

Cards

Up your Holiday card game this year. Instead of sending just one card, send one card a week. Receiving “happy mail” is a bright spot in anyone’s day. Keep your messages upbeat.

Gifts

Send gifts to arrive no later than December 22nd, so you don’t stress about deliveries.

Virtual Visits

Contact the engagement director, social worker or caregiving staff to schedule a virtual visit appointment. The best virtual visits take a little planning to get everyone who wants to be involved together (online) at the same time. Try to organize so that you aren’t all trying to speak at once. This will be helpful for your family member who may have hearing or cognition issues.

Grace

Take a deep breath. Grant yourself some grace. It’s true that things will be different this year and there’s really nothing you can do to change that. Focus on being in the present moment and being grateful for all that is.