The holidays are fast approaching, and many of us have already started to make plans. You might be thinking about gifts, food, and who you’ll be inviting to spend the festive period with you. The holidays can be difficult for older people, who often feel lonely and isolated, and if you have elderly parents who live far away, you might be thinking about inviting them to spend the holidays with your family. While this can be a great chance to give them something to look forward to, and a way to remind them of the magic of Christmas time, there are some things that you should bear in mind when making plans. 

Travel

If your parents aren’t too far away, and you have time, you might just be able to drive over to them and bring them home with you easily enough. But if they are further away, and perhaps you are busy working right up until the holidays, they might be faced with taking a long trip alone. 

If they have any health or mobility issues, hiring a non-emergency flight nurse from Flying Angels can give them support and put your mind at ease. 

If they are flying or using any other public transport you should also book tickets in advance, as services can sell out quickly over the holidays. 

Accommodation

Do you have room for your loved one to stay in your home? If they will be staying for more than a night or two, make sure they’ve got plenty of space by tidying up your guest room and adding some home comforts to help them to feel at home. 

Length of Stay

Ideally, you might want your parents to stay for the whole festive period and into the New Year. If this is the case, you’ll need to make sure they have any medication that they’ll need for the duration. 

When it comes to how long they can stay, don’t just assume that they want to stay for the whole period and that they have no other plans. They might want to see friends and other family or have arrangements at home. Make sure you have an honest conversation about what they want and don’t be offended if they only want a short visit. 

Dietary Requirements

Speak to your loved one about any dietary requirements they might have for the holidays and be sure to factor these into your plans. 

Make Some Plans

You might think that a week at home enjoying the holidays with your children and your parents will be wonderful. But it’s easy to get bored, tired, and fed up with each other’s company. Make some festive plans, including visiting other family members, to help everyone avoid cabin fever. 

Schedule Lots of Rest

The holidays can be exhausting, and if your parents aren’t used to being around a busy family, they might find it difficult. Make sure you leave time for rest days and afternoon naps, so that they don’t overdo things. 

A family Christmas can be a wonderful thing and inviting elderly parents for the holidays is a fantastic idea. But make sure you listen to their concerns and needs and make changes to your plans to accommodate them, instead of just expecting them to fit into how your family does things.