In all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s often easy to overlook relatives who live in managed care facilities. This, coupled with the general stress of the holidays, can make it an especially lonely time for residents. Today’s blog is directed more at the friends and families of residents than the caregivers. If you absolutely can’t get away for a visit, but want to get something special for your friend or relative, this article has a fantastic list of inexpensive suggestions: Holiday Gifts for Nursing Home Residents.
If you have time to do more than send a gift, but can’t quite make it over for a visit, consider doing something a little more involved than just sending a car. Record an audio or video message instead. You can pick up a digital voice recorder at any major electronics store (or online) for around $30. With that, you can record a greeting, let your kids sing a carol, or any number of fun, silly things. If you have access to a video camera, or have a webcam on your computer, you can step things up and record a video greeting. Either option will give your loved one a gift they can play and replay–so much nicer than a card!
Of course, the best gift of all is the gift of your time. Visiting, chatting, or even taking your friend/relative out for a nice meal (if possible). The best gifts are from the heart, and you can never go wrong by showing someone you care.
cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by Travis Jon Allison
