5 top tips on how you can help the elderly this Christmas

I cannot help but think about the elderly at Christmas. It can be such a lonely time of the year for so many. It’s something about the colder days and evenings, perhaps you’ve noticed one or two that live local to you are never with anyone. This list can go on and it breaks my heart to think of someone, especially an elderly person alone at Christmas. 

Where we live, we have quite a few elderly residents in our little cul-de-sac. Sadly, they have been leaving us one by one however a good few still remain and they are all so lovely. From the lady across the street who would always give the kids a biscuit or a packet of crisps. She loves a good chat and the sight of the kids really brighten up her day. 

Then we have a lovely couple facing us who have been so kind to us since we moved in almost ten years ago now. They’ve watched our children grow up and with the elderly man being quite poorly this last few years, it did get me thinking about how we could help out more. 

With this in mind, I decided to put together a post about 5 ways we could help the elderly this Christmas. It’s something I am going to get my kids involved with because I think the ‘spirit’ of Christmas has got a little way-laid lately. The real reason for Christmas has been a little overshadowed with pressure and gift buying. Stressful evenings trying to wrap everything and not getting the opportunity to enjoy everything Christmas can give. 

I tell my children all the time that it isn’t about the presents you receive or the food you have on your table. Those are all bonuses and gifts in themselves. I tell them that Christmas is about the magic, the family you have around you {blood or not} and the kindness that you can give to others. 

Here are 5 ways we can help the elderly this Christmas:

Help them with their Christmas tree & decorations

The elderly aren’t as mobile as you and I. They might struggle to get the tree and everything else they’ve collected over the years for Christmas down from the loft. A simple olive branch to offer your service to help out could make there day ten times easier. 

Even offering to help decorate their tree for them is a nice gesture. I know this is a tradition for a lot of families, mine included! However, again with the bending down and reaching up, your elderly neighbours just might not be able to do this with ease. They may appreciate watching you decorate their tree while enjoying a chat and a nice cup of tea from the comfort of their favourite chair.

Helping them with their Christmas food shopping

Offering an hour or so out of your day, to offer to go and help them with their Christmas food shop is a nice gesture. They might not even be able to drive.

So perhaps offering to be given a list and doing it for them would be a great help. This also means that you can carry their shopping for them too. 

Popping by to make sure they’re kept warm

Here in Northern Ireland, there are lots of people who still use coal fires. So many elderly people in your area may have the same coal fire and could use your help. Coal is not light and with a lack of mobility, keeping warm during the Winter gets hard. Pop by, make sure they have enough coal, maybe even top up their fire for them! Make sure they have a good bit of coal beside the fire which will be easy for them to keep the flames burning when you’re not there. 

If they have gas, make sure they have enough or help them order a new one to be delivered that same day. If not, lend them a heater until it comes. Or, if like me, you can crochet a little, whip them up a blanket as a nice gift to help keep them warm, too. 

Visit & check up on them regularly

Popping round for a cup of tea does not take much out of your day. But it could make that person’s week. Go that extra mile and bring round a cake or a selection of biscuits. Just providing them with that social companionship is all they crave really. To feel included and not forgotten about. 

While your there, maybe ask them if they need anything done? A spot of dusting, walking their dog, helping them with their laundry. There is so much I’m sure they would appreciate a little bit of help with. 

You could even have a chat with them about buying modern stairlifts or at least inquiring about them. Mobility is something I think all of us who don’t have mobility issues can take for granted. So helping them make their lives easier and doing all of the phone calls and enquiries could also be a big help them your elderly comrades too. 

Invite them round for Christmas dinner

If they have no one in their life, make an extra seat at your dinner table this Christmas. Invite them around, get them to bring their slippers and just include them in your Christmas day. The twinkle in their eye of being included in it all will mean the world to them and give you a warm and fuzzy feeling too. 

This year? My kids and I will be baking for our elderly neighbours. This is in their DIY Christmas advent that I started doing for them last year. It’s a big hit and including the ‘let’s bake for the neighbours’ part is especially lovely.

I am really looking forward to watching them all come together to bake some lovely batches of shortbread. I can already see how controlling my girls are going to be {poor Jacob!}. I’m also excited to watch how they decorate the simple glass jars – perhaps that can be Jacobs job! Then the job of delivering them a few days before Christmas. 

This is not something expensive, it’s not a luxurious gift but it will be made with love and I think that means the world. Just a simple batch of deliciously baked shortbread, made by tiny hands, in a pretty jar with a bow – that’s all it is. Yet, it can bring the biggest of smiles to someone’s face.

Because that’s what Christmas is all about. Being kind, supporting each other and our community and making sure everyone can enjoy a nice Christmas. 

Do you do anything to help the elderly in your family or area? If so, I’d love to hear it! 

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