Caring for an older person, whether as a professional caregiver or as a spouse or adult child of an older person in need of care, requires a lot of energy at any time of the year. The holidays are no different, so it’s important to make sure you get the downtime you need and the celebration of the fresh start of a new year. Creating fun New Year’s Eve festivities doesn’t have to be a very involved and involved process. Combining a special occasion with the daily necessities of caring for an older person honors both the holiday and your dedication to caregiving.

plan the party

Everyone likes to feel needed, so include your manager in the planning process. Ask him what he remembers from years past, what he liked and what he didn’t like. Put it to work writing a shopping list for you that includes favorite snacks, drinks, and fun New Year’s Eve hats. Decide what you’ll wear to add a festive touch, and plan on adding a little sparkle to your senior’s outfit. If possible, ask for help with the actual shopping, whether it’s having your helper do the shopping or staying with your superior while you go out for some fresh air.

explore the memories

New Year’s Eve is often a time for reflection. She gathers up old albums and framed photos of the house and takes time to look at them with her superior. Listen to the stories that the photos extract from your memories. It’s so easy to forget that she used to be a vibrant young teenager, with her lifelong hopes and dreams ahead of her. If possible, have someone else there as a scribe to record your superior’s memories. Ask her questions, not about dates, but about how she felt when it rained, how the watermelon tasted, how was her first kiss.

rediscover music

Find a music station on the Internet that plays music from your older child’s favorite musical era. Stations that play every genre imaginable are available from sites like Shoutcast, Spotify, or iHeartRadio. Playing “Name that Tune” brings everyone to the music and gives your senior a chance to shine.

the ball falls

The highlight of each New Year’s Eve is the ball drop in Times Square in New York City. If staying up until midnight isn’t feasible, find a video of the ball drop years ago on YouTube and watch it on your time. Another option is to ring in the New Year with a completely different time zone than your own, so you ring in at 3 pm instead of midnight.

No matter when or how you celebrate, wear your fun New Year’s hats and raise a glass of champagne, sparkling cider, or other beverage to toast the New Year’s wishes.