Caregivers Perspective: Enjoy the Holidays--Together

There’s something magical about the holiday season. It’s a hectic, exciting time of year that’s punctuated by moments of reflection and rejoicing. With the days growing shorter and the temperatures dropping, the festive lights adorning houses and stores seem to shine all the more brightly. As family and friends gather to exchange gifts and good cheer, they have occasion to be thankful for their good fortune.

Celebrate the Special Relationship You've Built
And certainly the relationship you’ve forged with your loved one is a cause for thanksgiving. This rewarding relationship enriches your lives—and is a source of pleasure and satisfaction for you both. So why not use the holidays as an occasion to celebrate this unique bond by doing something simple but special together?

• Sign up for a dual massage. There’s no better way to drain the stress from your muscles or relieve the stiffness of arthritic joints than a gentle, soothing massage.  Find out if your local spa or massage therapist has rates for seniors.
  
  
• Turn a tour of the lights into an evening on the town. Your local newspaper will inevitably feature the most extravagant displays of holiday lights in your community.  Take a drive to catch these elaborate light shows, and finish the evening by dining at a local restaurant you’ve been meaning to try.
  
  
• Attend a holiday concert. There’s more wonderful live music available during the holiday season—much of it free—than at any other time of the year. Whether your tastes run to traditional carols or Handel’s Messiah, there’s bound to be a performance that will lift your spirits.
  
  
• Rent a holiday movie and invite some friends over to watch it with you. Sure, you’ve probably seen It’s a Wonderful Life or White Christmas a dozen times, but there are a number of other vintage holiday movies that you and your loved one might enjoy. They include Miracle on 34th Street, Holiday Inn (the original version of "White Christmas"), and any of the numerous versions of A Christmas Carol. 

The relationship that you and your loved one share is a precious gift to enjoy throughout the year. Take time this holiday season to commemorate it with a little celebration all your own.