Holiday Cheer and Winter Warmth: Seasonal Activities in Memory Care Programming

The holiday season brings more than lights and celebration — it offers powerful opportunities for Memory Care residents to connect with meaningful traditions, sensory experiences, and the warmth of community. At Brandermill Woods in Midlothian, VA, December’s Memory Care programming focuses on festive engagement tailored to residents’ needs, helping them stay joyful, stimulated, and supported throughout the winter. Find out more about how we engage residents in our Memory Care programs in VA.

Creating Joy Through Familiar Holiday Traditions

While every family has its own traditions, many holiday celebrations are similar. Seasonal decorating, tree lightings, holiday baking, and faith-based events are examples of ways seniors can embrace the winter season. Helping residents in Memory Care programs engage in these activities can create a sense of familiarity, reconnecting residents to moments from their past. Continuing to observe these holiday traditions could help them recall memories of past celebrations. 

At Brandermill Woods, this is how we integrate these traditions into the routine:

• Decorating the community together. Instead of team members putting up decorations, we get everyone involved. As a community, we hang up the lights, ornaments, and other decor items together. Many of the decorations used have a nostalgic touch to spark recognition.
• Tree lighting ceremonies and caroling. These types of classic events are engaging sensory experiences that can benefit people with memory loss. At Brandermill Woods, we organize safe group events related to the holidays. Residents experience lights, music, and scents that may transport them back to previous holidays.
• Holiday baking and crafts. In the kitchen, Memory Care residents bake cookies, decorate gingerbread houses, and engage in other nostalgic treat-making activities. Our team also plans craft activities, such as making cards and ornaments, to give residents a hands-on way to recall memories.

Encouraging Social Connection in Small Group Activities

Socializing plays a large role in enjoying the holidays in a senior living community. Opportunities to engage with others can help support cognitive function by stimulating the brain. Many social activities in Memory Care programs also involve a physical aspect that can support overall well-being and improve mood. 

The Holly Inn Memory Care neighborhood at Brandermill Woods provides supportive, intimate, calming group gatherings year-round. During the holidays, these activities reflect themes and events of the season. Examples of activities residents enjoy include:

• Winter-themed reminiscence sessions. Soft music and warm cups of cocoa set a cozy ambiance for residents to share holiday stories and family traditions they observe.
• Intergenerational visits. During the holiday season, area schools, churches, and volunteers often plan or participate in sing-alongs, gift exchanges, and other seasonal activities. These may be virtual or in person.
• Holiday movie nights. When we plan our seasonal movie nights, we select classics, such as "It's a Wonderful Life" or "White Christmas," to help residents connect to what they're watching. 

Using the Senses to Spark Engagement

Sensory experiences are one of many activities that support cognitive function for seniors. Engaging the senses often helps residents recall positive memories. The smell of pine or the sound of a familiar Christmas carol might trigger a memory, for example. Tactile experiences, such as soft, cozy blankets, often create a calming, soothing experience. We engage the senses with these types of activities:

• Scent stations. The scents of the season, including cinnamon, pine, peppermint, and citrus, are included in a variety of activities, from making sachets to baking. These aromatherapy activities often help trigger pleasant memories.
• Tactile stimulation. The sense of touch can bring back memories and create particular feelings. Seasonal items used for tactile stimulation include cozy scarves, textured ornaments, and warm blankets. 
• Musical nostalgia. Simply listening to classic carols, big band holiday songs, and other nostalgic music sets a joyful environment that can trigger memories. We also encourage residents to get involved, whether by singing along or moving to the music.
• Multisensory crafts. Many seasonal activities engage multiple senses. Wreath making offers the texture and smell of pine needles. Other examples of multisensory crafts include pomander balls and felt snowmen. All the planned crafts involve safe, success-oriented tasks.

Providing Comfort and Calm During Winter Months

In addition to the holidays, the winter months force changes to the routine. At Brandermill Woods, we account for these differences in the way we plan our activities. Examples include:

• Calming routines for early dark evenings. Earlier sunsets can cause issues with sundowning for residents in Memory Care. We plan activities, such as reading by the light of the fireplace or listening to soft, calming classical music, to help manage sundowning.
• Indoor nature engagement. Winter weather isn't always ideal for outdoor nature exploration, so consider bringing nature indoors with options including snow globes, winter landscape videos, and plant care.
• Winter wellness support. Winter also presents additional wellness needs. We create cozy indoor environments for physical activities, such as chair yoga and stretching. Hydration reminders help residents keep up their water intake, while herbal tea and other warm drinks add a cozy touch.

The team members at The Holly Inn neighborhood are exceptionally attentive and deliver personalized care to ensure all residents are comfortable and calm during the holidays.

Involving Families in Seasonal Joy

Our holiday routine includes getting families involved, whether in person or virtually. We do this in a variety of ways, including:

• Family-friendly events. Many of our holiday activities, such as caroling, making ornaments, and enjoying festive photo booths, include an open invitation to family members. We encourage loved ones to visit during the holidays and get involved in community events. 
• Holiday cards and gift crafts. Our team members give residents the opportunity to make small keepsake gifts and cards for loved ones. This gives residents the chance to reminisce about their family members and holiday memories they've shared.
• Virtual engagement options. It's not always possible for loved ones to visit, which is why we offer options such as Zoom holiday visits, digital cards, and family video viewings. These provide ways for residents and family members to stay connected when they're not together.

The Holly Inn offers flexible visiting options to help loved ones get involved in the holiday programming options.

Experience Holiday Programming at Brandermill Woods

Holiday programming in Memory Care at Brandermill Woods centers on more than festivities — it’s about creating moments of connection, comfort, and peace for residents living with memory loss. 

Through thoughtful, sensory-rich seasonal experiences, The Holly Inn supports emotional well-being and helps residents celebrate the spirit of the holidays in a safe, joyful environment. Call us at (804) 621-7328 to learn more about how we make every season special for residents at Brandermill Woods.

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