The Holiday Season is here. Families are gathering and excitement is in the air. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, there’s one group we often forget – seniors.
As we share meals and create memories, it’s important to remember those who may need extra help during this time of year. According to industry experts in a recent article on the Points of Light Blog , “Aging adults can face a number of challenges, from loneliness to failing health. Volunteering with senior citizens is a great way to thank them for their years of service and to help brighten their day. When two generations come together in service, it helps bridge the age gap and everyone can come away having learned something.”
Caring Transitions has named November 1- December 31 the Caring for a Cause Season of Giving. In honor of this Season we have five ways we believe you can be involved in giving back.
1. Help a senior with errands and transportation.
Seniors often have limited mobility, physical limitations or distance from family that makes it hard to enjoy basic tasks like holiday gift or grocery shopping.
2. Visit with or invite a senior to dinner for the Holidays.
The holidays can conjure a spectrum of emotions for many senior citizens. Amidst the happiness and excitement, many seniors experience sadness, depression and loneliness. According to the Institute on Aging, nearly one third (11.3 million) of older adults who were living outside nursing homes or hospitals lived alone. A simple dinner invitation or visit could go a long way to brighten someone’s day.
3. Help a senior care for a pet.
If you are an animal lover with a senior neighbor who has limited mobility, offering to walk their dog or feed their kitten may be the perfect way to give your time. If you aren’t able to physically care for the pet, offering to purchase pet food or supplies can be an equally kind gesture.
4. Create a holiday dinner basket.
You can help a homebound senior by creating and delivering a holiday gift basket. This can ease the stress of a neighbor making a trip to a crowded grocery store during the holiday season.
5. Donate to a Caring Transitions Caring for a Cause Event.
Between November 1st and December 31st, we are serving those in need. We will facilitate a community give back program and want to extend the opportunity to you to join us this season! Contact us today for more information.
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Sources
https://www.ioaging.org/aging-in-america
http://www.pointsoflight.org/blog/5-ways-give-back-senior-citizens
https://www.careadvantageinc.com/blog/helping-seniors-holidays/