Senior Living in Omaha, NE

‘Tis the holiday season, the time of year that we spend time with our loved ones, young and old, sharing in traditions, good company, and counting our many blessings. With so many holiday parties and events this month, there’s plenty of holiday cheer to spread around. Unfortunately for many seniors, however, the holidays can also bring about feelings of loss, sadness and loneliness. In order to avoid isolation, depression and to ensure that the holiday season is merry and bright for all, it’s important to keep our elders in mind and to do what we can for those in our community.

“The holidays can be a difficult time of the year for seniors living in a retirement community,” says Roxann Rogers-Meyer of Immanuel Communities. “They may not have family close by to celebrate the holidays and that may bring up feelings of loneliness and isolation during a time that should be filled with joy and anticipation. Immanuel Communities recognizes these feelings and plans a full calendar of activities and events to involve our residents.

Our Immanuel Village Chime Choir will be performing at the Omaha Symphony Christmas Spectacular at the Holland Center in December. A special event for our residents features our partnerships with area schools and holiday performances by the students.  These intergenerational activities bring together our residents, their adult children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

One of the volunteer efforts this holiday is Immanuel’s participation in Kids Against Hunger, a non-profit organization committed to reducing the number of hungry children worldwide. Residents, Pathways participants and staff will work side-by-side to fill bags of food for this important cause.

Special worship services are planned as a time for residents to gather as a group dedicated to building and nourishing a strong community and celebrating the Christmas season as a community.  All of our activities and events are designed for our residents and their families to create a sense of community during this special time of the year.”

“The holidays are a particularly difficult time of the year not only because of the winter blues, but also because time with family has always been an important part of everyone’s holiday,” agrees Lisa Arp of SilverRidge Assisted Living & Memory Support. “What we do here at SilverRidge Assisted Living in Gretna is provide a party room for family members and residents to reserve and host their holiday parties.  Depending on the health of the resident, it is often hard to have them leave the facility. When the party comes to them, it is easier to celebrate with all loved ones involved and still have the senior in a comfortable environment with no risk of accident or injury.

If you are visiting your loved one during the holidays and you notice a decline in their health, get them to the doctor as soon as you can. By a decline I mean that the house is not cleaned, there’s rotten food in refrigerator or sink, dishes aren’t done, you notice an odor or they have not showered, and so on.  Basically you are looking out for anything that would appear to be out of the ordinary for them. This is especially important if you are visiting from out of town and do not see them often.   Early detection for any issue is key as your loved one may simply need a little bit of assistance, a home health aide, relocation to assisted living, or it could be something more serious. It may be hard to get them to go, but in the long run, it will lead to a better quality of life and longevity in life.”

She continues, “During the holidays at SilverRidge we have a tradition that was started by our mother, Karen Sedlacek. We are family owned and operated — my brother Dan is our Executive Director, my brother John is head of maintenance, my sister Lori is head of activities and I’m in charge of our marketing. Our mother Karen was a geriatric nurse before she retired. She understood how residents felt during the holidays and thought we needed to make our facility a little more festive during the holidays. She started by putting a tree in every common area in the facility and it has grown from there. Mom passed away six months ago and we are keeping her tradition alive. This year we will have close to 20 trees in the facility. All mantles decorated like home, complete with animatronic carolers, angels and nativity scenes. Tradition is important to us and we know it is important to our residents too. We love sharing our traditions with them as well as having them help us create new ones together.

Volunteers are also a wonderful addition to a senior community. At SilverRidge we have several volunteers come to help residents with crafts, Bingo, Bunco, Dominos or just to play cards. They are members of our Gretna community who are also members of the Gretna Senior Center. The Senior Center comes to SilverRidge every first Friday of the month for Bingo, cards and lunch.  Many of them have become close to several residents, visit on a regular basis and help with activities at SilverRidge. We love all of our volunteers whether they are here for mass, church services, a helping hand, to be a friend or even to serve refreshments during entertainment.  Volunteers play a huge role in the daily lives of our residents, especially those who do not have family.  Anyone can be a volunteer.  It just is up to you how much time you want to spend volunteering. Reach out to your church, pastor/ priest or senior center in your area to volunteer or to find a volunteer for a loved one.”

Karla Frese of Walnut Grove Retirement Resort further advises, “Spending quality time with others keeps people connected and positive, which reduces depression. There are holiday events that are open to the public, but they often require transportation that’s expensive or only available on a limited basis. Walnut Grove offers an abundance of on-site events and transportation-provided outings. We have clubs that do everything from play cards and games to discuss books and residents who enjoy hand crafts such as crochet or quilting and take how-to classes such as painting. Our weekly calendar is full of entertaining activities that keep residents engaged and give them shared interests they can discuss with others.

Holiday months are among the busiest at Walnut Grove.  We enjoy Husker football games in our state-of-the-art theatre that seats 150.  Local choir and instrumental music groups are scheduled to perform.  Community groups visit regularly to present educational information on topics such as Medicare, Veterans’ Services, and Healthy Lifestyles.  Multiple exercise programs are held weekly for our residents to focus on strength, balance, and cardiovascular health.

The live-in managers at Walnut Grove know every resident well and work tirelessly to ensure they’re happy and healthy. Their regular interaction ensures changes in appearance or behavior can be quickly noticed. This helps families who aren’t close by determine when there’s a short-term or long-term change that needs to be addressed. We also offer scheduled transportation, so families have peace of mind knowing their loved ones aren’t endangering themselves or others with risky driving.

The holidays wrap up with New Year’s, which is often a time people consider changes for the coming year. If you or a loved one seeks a more relaxing lifestyle with greater peace of mind and more time for enjoyment, consider Walnut Grove’s affordable resort lifestyle.  Residents pay month-by month, with no long-term contracts to fulfill, and enjoy the amenities and service we provide to help them enjoy life to its fullest.”

She adds, “Volunteers of all ages are welcome at Walnut Grove because they enhance our ability to meet residents’ need for companionship and interaction, which is naturally higher during the holidays. When families are far away, the friendly faces of volunteers who take a genuine interest in residents’ lives are always welcome. We’re currently planning events during the holidays and beyond, such as musical entertainment, lunch and learns and informative guest speakers. To learn about specific volunteer opportunities, call Walnut Grove at (402) 861-1611.”

“It is very important for seniors to have socialization during the holidays and winter months,” adds Kristina Krumme of Elk Ridge Village Active Retirement Community. “This is the time of year that is very crucial to them and their well-being. Often depression and isolation is increased during the hustle bustle of the holidays and cold winter months.

As such, it is very important for seniors to stay active and enjoy the company of others during the holidays and winter months. We offer an array of several different activities, events and special services offered to the residents during the holidays! We take everyone out on the Elk Ridge Village bus for several different holiday light tours as well as holiday performances in the Omaha community. Several local schools and churches come to Elk Ridge Village and share holiday cheer and songs! Additionally, many residents enjoys our holiday bible studies, holiday treats and crafts…even jolly Saint Nick makes a stop and there is no age cutoff for who gets to sit on his lap! Our annual holiday party and New Year’s Eve party are always fun too!

Since the holidays are very busy for all of us, do make sure you take the time to spend with elderly loved ones so you don’t have any regrets. It is not only good for the elderly relatives but I promise it will benefit you as well! We even offer a guest room, which is particularly nice during the holidays. It operates like a hotel room on-site that family member can rent if they are visiting from out of town and need a place to stay. Whether the visit is short or long, just taking that time to spend with them is priceless. That visit may lead to enjoying a meal together, and as my grandpa would say, ‘food tastes better when there are other people sitting at the table with you!’ Or the visit may lead to a warning sign that you just notice that the overall health or well-being of your loved one has declined. Maybe they are not eating or staying hydrated. Maybe you notice that they are more quiet or depressed. Sometimes seniors will pass on social opportunities because they are overly cautious about getting out of the house and don’t want to risk a slip or fall on the ice. However, having regular opportunities for socialization is still very important to them.”

She also mentions, “I know often times people don’t find the winter months ideal to consider a move but that move can actually help an isolated elderly loved one. Instead of being secluded at home alone during the long days of winter they can be settled in a safe, secure environment surrounded by people and amenities. If they get snowed in at home alone it is lonely. If they get snowed in in a community setting, such as a retirement community, they are safe, have prepared meals available, and are surrounded by several friendly and caring neighbors as well as many other convenient social opportunities. Best of all they don’t even have to put a coat on or battle the ice or snow!”

In addition to being stressful for many seniors, the holidays can also have an impact on caregivers. Janet Miller with Partnerships in Caregiving provides a few key things for caregivers to keep in mind this year during the holiday season.

“The holidays are a wonderful time of the year filled with friends and family members sharing in the joys of the holiday season.  But, as you are probably aware, the holiday season can also bring about stress.  This is especially true for those that are already overwhelmed with the day-to-day responsibilities of caring for a loved one who experiences a significant health condition.  It is very important for family caregivers to understand and recognize the stress and burnout that can occur during what we think should be a time of relaxation and joy.

Many family caregivers already have a great deal on their plate and the addition of holiday shopping, dinners, writing Christmas cards, etc. may add additional stress to the holidays.  Some may reflect on past memories of holidays that are no longer a reality for them due to the care needed by their loved ones. Travel may no longer be possible for the family caregiver and their loved one, which could contribute to their needing to be home over the holidays.  At times, the caregiver may even experience criticism from other family members who may disagree with the care the provider is giving or decisions they are making.

How can you and family caregivers more effectively get through the holidays?

1. Recognize your stress and try to manage it.  Try a variety of stress management techniques, such as walking, calling a friend, reading a book, taking a long bath, or simply counting to ten and realizing that you are not able to control everything that is happening.

2. Keep self-care at the top of your list of things to do.  Try to keep your routine tasks to a minimum.  Consider calling the Respite Resource Center and line up a respite care provider to come to your home and give you a break from daily caregiving.  We can be reached at (402) 996-8444 for more information.

3. Seek support from others by joining a support group of other individuals in similar caregiving situations.  Get telephone numbers or emails of those you have established friendships with and contact them when you are feeling stressed.

4. Simplify your holiday activities and work whenever possible and don’t expect perfection from yourself.  As a caregiver, you have many other things that take your time and energy, so ‘give yourself a break.’  Ask other family members to help you with cooking, cleaning, shopping, or entertaining.  Don’t let the entire holiday fall on your shoulders.

Remember, the holidays still can be an enjoyable time for you and your family.  Try some new traditions if your older traditions no longer seem to work for your new situation.  Utilize the help of others and be sure to contact Partnership in Caregiving’s Respite Resource Center if you are interested in finding someone to come into your home to give you a short break from caregiving so that you can take care of yourself.  All are welcome to contact us at (402) 996-8444.”

In-home care or assistance is indeed a valuable service for seniors who are able to live in their home but need a little extra help with life’s daily tasks.

“Comfort Keepers recognizes the winter months accompanying holidays are difficult for many people, especially senior citizens,” explains Jennifer Dil, Business Development Consultant at Comfort Keepers Omaha. “There is the potential to become even more isolated due to the weather and self-imposed restrictions on driving or even walking outside during cold, snowy or rainy conditions. Our companion care services are especially useful during the winter and holidays. We are a wonderful gift you can give a friend or family member when they need a friend to cheer them up on a gray day or to look in on them during a storm. How valuable is it to know that someone has eyes on your loved ones and is making sure they have a warm meal, the house is warm, and the errands and chores are getting done with cheer and kindness?

The holidays are a busy time for Comfort Keepers, and as we are always integrating support services for our clients in new and unique ways, this year will be no different. For example, we’ve teamed up with a fantastic local startup called Timeless Apparel, run by Jessica Johnson (402-915-0588), who will bring new clothes to the home of our clients so that they can shop for themselves or a loved one. We are even there to provide support in helping them try the clothes on! Incorporating local businesses from Omaha and Council Bluffs into our strong referral network for clients provides so many layers of care in the community. Having Jessica assist our families is priceless. She can help the mom with a broken leg who can’t get to the mall to find that new Christmas outfit, or with gifts from the husband who doesn’t drive anymore due to eye problems, or to provide a senior who is bedridden with new jammies and slippers. This is exactly the type of value-added service you can find with Comfort Keepers every day.

Moreover, if you are going out of town, Comfort Keepers can care for your loved one so you can travel without that worry. Did you know we can help seniors get dressed, drive them to an appointment or holiday event, and get them home again and into bed? Do not leave your older family members at home because of the potential inconvenience, but rather include them in your planning by calling us soon so that we can help you prepare for the upcoming months. We can also care for family members visiting your house who might need some extra assistance.”

She further advises, “There are so many concerns to address during the holidays; emotional, physical, financial and social, but I would like to present just three to consider: warmth, nourishment and depression.

Please take the time to check your loved one’s house for drafts, a working furnace and sufficient blankets. Seniors are prone to feeling cold and a constant chill can lower their immune system, so block the drafts. They will not get up and move around if they are chilled and will miss meals and getting drinks of water to stay warm under their blankets, so test the furnace system and make sure it is in good working order. So often a personal mini heater is used to add warmth, which if not treated properly, can cause a fire if a blanket gets tossed on it or if they trip over it, so please also check their space heater placement.

When visiting in their home offer to get them some cocoa or tea and check the cupboards while in the kitchen for food supplies. Are the items still viable and something they can prepare in their current condition?  Is there enough food to last through a storm? We need to eat more to stay warm but it should be healthy, so as exercise decreases sodium and cholesterol levels do not rise.

Finally, depression. The gloomy fall and winter days are enough to start depression as we lose sunlight, making it a risk factor for those who do not get out much. Go and visit your friends and family more than usual. Hold their hand and give them a hug as you reminisce or catch up on your lives. Can you take them out for a bit? Drive around and see the fall leaves or holiday lights if nothing else. I know your time is valuable, but consider giving some of your most precious resource to someone who really would benefit from seeing your smile and hearing your voice.

Please remember, we are always here for you. Whether you need us for a few weeks or a few years, you don’t have to struggle on your own. Who do you know who could use Comfort Keepers? Call us today at (402) 991-9880. Happy holidays to you from all of us at Comfort Keepers!”

This month, no matter what you have planned for the holidays, how long your to-do list is, how jam-packed your schedule may be, or how many directions you’re pulled in, consider spreading some love and holiday cheer to the seniors in our community. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved and to volunteer your time and talents to make a difference in the lives of those who may not have anyone to share the holidays with. After all, in the true spirit of the holidays it’s much better to give than to receive. Of course, take the time to show your senior loved ones how special they are too! Taking full advantage of the time spent together making memories, reminiscing about the past and planning for the future will make the holiday season that much more enjoyable for all.