We have virtual holiday ideas to ensure your loved ones feel connected!
2020 has proven to be one of the most challenging years in memory. But while the specter of COVID-19 lingers over just about every aspect of our lives, these days of modern technology can help ensure that we stay connected no matter what.
The bottom line is the holidays this year are going to require some additional planning, and Advocare Care Management has some suggestions on how to ensure your elderly loved ones still feel connected and safe during this time of festivities.
Due to the continued reminders from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), everyone should be aware that if you are hosting an in-person family event, you should follow the following tips to keep you and your family safe:
- Make activities outdoors (weather permitting)
- Keep the gathering small and have plenty of space to distance
- Request all guests to wear masks, provide sanitizer and a stock of tissues
- Wash hands frequently, especially when around food
Of course, all these things will be helpful, but when you consider the extra effort required to ensure everyone’s safety, Advocare suggests hosting a virtual party with loved ones instead!
There are a variety of video chat services available now, and they are effortless to set up and use, making them an optimal way to celebrate “together.”
Helping Your Loved Ones Get Used to Video Chats.
If the loved ones in your life have not accessed these video chatting tools already, you can easily walk them through platforms like Google Hangouts, Google Duo, FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and even Facebook Messenger! These virtual face-to-face platforms are usually free for personal use and relatively simple to explain how to get access over the phone. Many people worry about having to teach their family or loved ones about technology, but it’s not as difficult as you may think! There are usually only a few steps involved and all of the video apps can easily be accessed by laptop, tablet, computer, or mobile phone!
If you need extra help or want to send instructions to your family, there are tons of resources and tools out there to make staying in contact during these times as easy and seamless as possible.
So, now that you have multiple options for connecting your family across the miles, what does a virtual party even look like? How do you make it fun?
We’re glad you asked…
Advocare Has 4 Virtual Holiday Party Ideas For You
Recipe Exchange/Cook-Off – How great would it be to not only learn historic family recipes but to bake and cook with your grandmother (virtually) in the same room, talking you through it all? In fact, when it comes to cooking and incorporating food you have a few options. You could focus the video chat on everyone tasting popular foods from across the internet, maybe even with a hot drink and some favorite holiday tunes. Or you can all try your hand at the same dishes and have family dinner together while enjoying each other’s company.
Classic Holiday Story Time – If you have several generations enjoying a video chat together, set aside some time for holiday stories. This might entail everyone downloading a favorite story to read along with the storyteller (grandparents can read Twas the Night Before Christmas to the grandchildren or vice versa), or parents can enlighten their kids about how the holidays happened when they were young, and the grandparents can correct them or add context…like every holiday. Whatever you choose, holiday stories are always a great time!
Shared Gift Exchange – These circumstances are not unique to any family. Most people are worried about flying or any means of transportation that doesn’t cater to social distancing. And as much as we love our extended family, there’s no way to know for sure that we can keep them safe. With that in mind, consider arranging for gifts to be shipped or otherwise delivered to everyone involved well in advance, and then host the gift exchange via chat. Dress like you would have if you had gotten together in person, decorate your background accordingly, and then open your gifts “together!”. This virtual gift exchange will give you all the same gift-opening experience without the health-threatening consequences.
Happy Holidays from the Advocare Team!
Though we know these are challenging times for many, we can still make the best of it and have fun! Video chatting is just one of the ways you can communicate with your loved ones while finding a simple yet engaging way to involve your senior family members.
If video chatting isn’t for you, or the seniors in your life, that’s no problem. Many of the things we mentioned can be done with a regular phone call! Though the view may not be the same, the experience will be one to remember and you’ve still made time for what matters!
We’re Here for You
Whether you require medical care management, home care management, transition care management, life care planning, or something else, Advocare Care Management is here and can help you and your loved ones make the most of holidays and all of life’s important moments. Contact us here, or call 561-266-3489 to speak with a care management professional.