Not all families are able to celebrate Christmas with an abundance of food, gifts, or family.  For those less fortunate this holiday season, even simply affording gifts for kids can be impossible.  Police officer Traci Ponto in Spokane, WA decided to do something about that.  She visited four houses that weren’t naughty this year, giving gift cards so they could buy presents for their kids.

Many of the recipients were brought to tears.

“Last night me and my husband were just talking about what we were going to do...this helps a lot.” said Wendy Adams Johnson, a mother and wife who was worried about what she and her husband were going to do for Christmas.

This heartwarming example is more than just giving gifts and leaving to the next door.  Interactions like this bridge the divide that exists between police and the citizens they serve, and reminds us of the humanity that exists between both police and citizen.  Our hats are off to you, Officer Ponto for the job well done and for being a role model to officers across the nation.  Keep it up!

Santa wore blue, not red this Christmas season, as Officer Traci Ponto went through her neighborhood giving donated gift cards to help families buy gifts for their children.

Spokane Police Officer Makes Christmas Possible for Families in Need

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, a winter getaway can be an invigorating experience for older adults looking to escape the cold or simply enjoy a change of scenery. Whether it’s a cozy retreat in the mountains or a sunny beach vacation, the key to ensuring a memorable trip is thoughtful planning.

Here are some ideas and tips for seniors to consider when planning their winter getaway.

The first step in getting organized for your winter vacation is deciding on a destination. If you don’t already have one in mind, here are a few options to consider:

Warm-weather spots: Many seniors who live in colder climes prefer to head to a place with sunnier skies and warmer temperatures. Popular places include Florida, Arizona, and Southern California, where you can find beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and plenty of sunshine.

Mountain retreats: For those who enjoy winter sports or simply want a picturesque winter landscape, consider a mountain getaway. Locations like Aspen, Colorado, or Lake Tahoe, California, offer skiing, snowshoeing, and cozy lodges for relaxation. Many also have additional activities to enjoy, such as film festivals, boutique shopping, nightlife, and a variety of upscale restaurants.

Cultural cities: You might also want to consider exploring vibrant cities with rich histories and cultural offerings. Cities like New Orleans, Savannah, or Santa Fe might be fun. These cities provide warm weather, interesting architecture, and engaging events. You could also visit cities known for their museums, including quirky ones like the Spy Museum.

Comfort and accessibility are paramount, especially for seniors and people with mobility challenges. Keep these factors in mind as you plan:

Accommodations: Look for hotels or rental properties that cater to seniors, featuring accessible amenities such as elevators, grab bars, and easy access to dining options.

Transportation: Choose destinations with accessible transportation options, such as airports with senior-friendly services, shuttles, and public transit. Consider renting a car if that offers greater flexibility.

Healthcare access: While no one wants to think the worst will happen on vacation, sometimes it does. Take a few minutes to research nearby healthcare facilities, just in case. Knowing where to find medical assistance can provide peace of mind.

Winter getaways offer a range of activities, so think about what interests you and how you’d like to spend your vacation:

Outdoor adventures: If you enjoy being active, consider whether your potential vacation spot has easy access to skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in scenic areas. Many resorts offer classes and guided tours for all skill levels.

Relaxation: A winter getaway is an excellent opportunity to unwind. You could look for a resort that offers spa services, yoga classes, art classes, writers’ workshops, or simple, scenic spots for quiet reflection.

Local events: Check local calendars for winter festivals, art exhibits, or music performances. Engaging with local culture can enrich your travel experience.

Traveling with friends or family can enhance the enjoyment of a getaway. Here are some tips for group travel:

Plan together: Involve travel companions in the planning process to ensure everyone’s preferences and needs are considered. This can include choosing activities, meals, and accommodations.

Ask about group discounts: Many hotels and attractions offer discounts for group bookings. Be sure to inquire about these when making reservations.

Share responsibilities: Divide tasks among the group. One person could handle accommodations, another could arrange transportation, and someone else could plan activities.

Creating a budget is essential for any trip. Consider these aspects:

Travel costs: Factor in transportation, accommodations, meals, and activities. Look for package deals that can provide savings.

Emergency fund: Set aside some funds for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies or last-minute changes in plans.

Travel insurance: Consider purchasing travel insurance, especially for longer trips. Knowing that cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage are covered will give you peace of mind.

Preparation is key to a successful getaway. Here are some steps to take:

Packing: Make a packing list to ensure you have everything you need. Include clothing appropriate for the destination’s climate, comfortable footwear, and any necessary travel documents. It’s also a good idea to keep a change of clothes, medication, and your cell phone charger or battery pack in your carry-on bag.

Health checks: Schedule a health checkup before your trip. Discuss any concerns with your doctor and ensure you have enough medication for the duration of your getaway.

Emergency contacts: Create a list of emergency contacts, including family members, healthcare providers, and local emergency services in your destination.

Itinerary: Don’t forget to give a copy of your daily itinerary to loved ones who are staying at home. That way, they’ll know how to contact you in case of an emergency.

With careful planning, you’re almost sure to have a fun winter getaway with friends and family!

If the idea of heading off on vacation has you concerned about safety, know that you aren’t alone. It’s common for older adults to worry when they are far from familiar faces and places.

One suggestion is to invest in a mobile monitoring unit. These discreet devices can easily fit into a pocket or purse. In the event of an emergency, you only need to press a button to be connected with someone who can help. Because they work off wireless technology, you can take them anywhere you go. Call 1-844-203-5617 today to learn more!

Are you a senior who is starting to plan a winter
getaway? These step-by-step tips might be of interest.

Tips for Seniors Planning a Winter Getaway

During the holiday season, several generations of the family often come together. For some, it’s the first time they’ve all been together in months. A great way to strengthen family bonds and build memories is to organize a craft party for grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy together.

Don’t be concerned if you don’t consider yourself to be an arts-and-crafts person. There are so many activities you can take part in that don’t require any special skills. This comprehensive guide to planning a successful craft party can help you plan an event both generations will enjoy any time of year.

Start by selecting a theme. It’s a good way to provide focus and excitement for your craft party. Consider themes that resonate with both grandparents and grandchildren, such as:

Seasonal: While you might have winter on your mind this time of year, don’t limit yourself to just the holidays. When the snow is blowing and it’s cold outside, it might be fun to plan luau- or beach-themed activities. Platforms like Pinterest and Etsy are good sites to explore for ideas.

Nature-inspired: Projects using natural materials like twigs, pine cones, evergreens, leaves, and stones might also be good ones to try. You could make everything from bird feeders to tree garland.

Family heritage: Crafts that explore family traditions or ancestry, such as family trees or heritage scrapbooks, can be great memory-making activities—especially when multiple generations of the family are involved.

Painted rocks: Let’s face it, kids love painting rocks, and it’s an easy and fun activity with minimal cost. You can even make rock collecting a part of your intergenerational activity.

Once you have chosen a theme, it’s time to come up with a few specific projects for your gathering. Unless the grandchildren are all older, you’ll likely want to aim for projects that are engaging but not overly complex. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Photo frames: Decorate wooden or cardboard frames with paint, stickers, or embellishments. This allows grandchildren to personalize a frame for a favorite photo with their grandparents.

Memory boxes: Provide small craft-style boxes or jars, along with a variety of art supplies to decorate them with. They can be filled with favorite mementos, notes to one another, or secret treasures.

Birdhouses: Whether you use elements of nature to create unique birdhouses from scratch or purchase unfinished ones to decorate, this is an activity that can bring out everyone’s creative side.

Unless you are planning a project where you’ll be collecting bits of nature from around the yard or beach, you’ll probably want to get supplies together ahead of time. That will ensure everything runs smoothly during the party. Collect all the necessary supplies for the projects, such as:

Basic craft supplies: Assemble supplies such as scissors (including kid-sized, if needed), glue, markers, paints, brushes, and paper. You’ll probably want tablecloths or a roll of craft paper to protect tables, too.

Special materials: Depending on your projects, you may need specific items like wooden frames, jars, boxes, or natural materials.

Protective gear: Have smocks or old shirts on hand to protect clothing from paint and glue.

A welcoming environment sets the stage for a fun and enjoyable experience. Choose a suitable location for the craft party, whether it’s in your kitchen, the basement, or the garage, or even at a local park. Ensure the space is comfortable and has enough room for everyone to work. Consider the following:

Seating arrangements: Arrange tables and chairs to encourage interaction. Ensure there’s enough space for everyone to craft comfortably.

Table covers: Use disposable tablecloths to protect surfaces from spills and messes.

Lighting: Ensure the area is well-lit, especially for detailed craft work.

Music: This might be a great assignment for the grandkids to handle. You could consider asking them to create a playlist just for this occasion.

Crafting can be hard work! Snacks can provide a nice break and keep energy levels up throughout the party. So plan to have some healthy snacks, a few tasty treats, and a variety of drinks available. Maybe even choose a theme for your refreshments, such as all pumpkin snacks and beverages. It might help to choose easy-to-eat options that aren’t too messy, such as:

Fruits and vegetables: Platters of cut fruits and veggies with dips.

Finger foods: Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, or popcorn.

Beverages: Water, juice, or a fun holiday-themed punch.

Finally, remember to document your adventures throughout the day by taking photos as family members are working and after the projects are finished. Be sure to get a few group shots of everyone with their completed crafts. After the party, consider creating a small photo album or scrapbook as a keepsake that grandparents and grandchildren can cherish together.

If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to bookmark the Life Protect 24/7 blog and visit often. You’ll find articles on topics ranging from health and wellness to senior living, caregiving, and home safety! And we update the blog each week with the latest news and research.

Wondering how to bond with the grandkids this holiday season or over the summer? An intergenerational craft day might be the answer.

How to Organize an Intergenerational Craft Day

Finding the perfect gift for a loved one can sometimes be a daunting task. As can figuring how to celebrate the season with colleagues and supervisors—and if you are a business owner, with your clients. One avenue to consider is giving the gift of a donation to their favorite cause.

Incorporating charitable giving into your holiday traditions can enrich the season, fostering a spirit of generosity and community. As we celebrate with family, friends, and coworkers, we can also extend our hands to those in need. Here are some meaningful ways to make charitable giving a part of your holiday celebrations.

Supporting Charitable Organizations Through the Holidays

Creating a family tradition around charitable giving can instill values of compassion and generosity in future generations. Set aside time each year to choose a charity together. This could involve discussing the causes that mean the most to each family member, whether it’s supporting local food banks, animal shelters, or global initiatives. You can make a donation as a family to that cause.

Making this a regular part of your holiday routine reinforces the importance of giving back. It might even be nice for the younger generations to hold small fundraisers to cover the cost of the donation.

While monetary gifts are always appreciated by nonprofit organizations, your time can make a difference, too. Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding ways to give back. Gather your family and choose a local organization where you can volunteer together.

Whether you decide to serve meals at a shelter, participate in a community cleanup, or help at a food drive, working side by side can deepen family bonds while also making a positive impact.

Instead of traditional gifts, consider making a donation to a charity in honor of a family member or friend. Choose a cause that reflects their interests or values, and let them know about the donation with a thoughtful card explaining the impact of their gift. This gesture not only supports those in need but also reinforces the spirit of giving during the holidays.

Gathering supplies to create care packages for those in need is a hands-on way to give back. Organize a family assembly line to pack items like hygiene products, warm clothing, and nonperishable food. Consider distributing these packages to local shelters or community organizations. The act of creating and delivering care packages can instill gratitude and empathy in everyone involved.

Shop at Local Businesses That Support a Cause

Many local businesses give back to the community through charitable initiatives. By shopping at these establishments during the holidays, you can contribute to local charities while supporting the economy. Look for businesses that donate a percentage of their sales to causes you care about. This way, your holiday shopping can make a double impact.

A giving tree is a wonderful visual representation of the spirit of giving. Set up a tree and have family members hang tags listing the charitable organizations they’d like other family members to donate to in their honor. This can be especially useful for younger children, who often receive an abundance of holiday gifts. You can donate monetary gifts or check with the charity to see what supplies they might need.

In the spirit of encouraging others, share your charitable giving experiences on social media. Highlight the organizations you support, the events you participate in, or the impact of your family’s giving traditions. By sharing these experiences, you might inspire others to make charitable giving a part of their own holiday celebrations.

One final tip is to use an organization such as Great Nonprofits or Charity Navigator to learn more about the agency before donating. You’ll be able to read reviews from other donors and explore the nonprofit’s mission and goals.

If you’d like more ideas to finish up your shopping, this holiday gift guide might be of interest. You’ll find suggestions for friends, family, and even the boss!

Are you trying to make your holiday gift giving more meaningful this year? Charitable gifts might be the solution. Learn more here.

How to Make Charitable Giving a Part of Your Holidays

Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season in many households. For grandparents, the holidays are often an opportunity to reconnect with the younger generation of the family. It can be a wonderful time to bond and create lasting memories.

But grandparents sometimes struggle to come up with ideas for activities the grandkids might enjoy. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or just hanging out, here are some tips to help make the most of your time together.

Intergenerational Holiday Ideas for Families

One of the best ways to make the holidays special for your grandkids is to create traditions. Baking holiday cookies together is a classic activity. Similarly, making decorations or homemade ornaments can be a lively and imaginative experience. These activities not only foster a sense of accomplishment but also provide keepsakes that will remind everyone of the time spent together.

Dive into storytelling: Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with your grandkids. Reading stories aloud can keep the kids entertained while also offering grandparents a good avenue for making memories. Or you could share stories from your own childhood or family history. This can help your grandkids understand their heritage and create a sense of continuity across generations.

Plan engaging activities: The holidays offer a range of activities that can be tailored to the interests of your grandkids. If weather permits, take advantage of outdoor opportunities, such as ice skating at a local park, building a snowman, or going for a nature walk. These activities promote physical exercise and provide a chance to enjoy the beauty of the season. For indoor fun, try having a movie marathon featuring holiday classics or playing board games and puzzles. These kinds of pastimes are a relaxing way to enjoy each other’s company and foster family bonding.

Cook or bake together: The kitchen is a great place for intergenerational bonding. Involve your grandkids in preparing holiday meals or baking treats. Let them help with age-appropriate tasks, such as stirring ingredients, setting the table, or decorating cupcakes. This not only makes them feel included but also helps them develop cooking skills. You might even try a new recipe together, turning the experience into a culinary adventure. Making homemade hot cocoa or festive snack mixes can also be a fun way to enjoy time together while creating delicious treats.

Explore and learn: Holidays can be a great time for educational experiences that are fun and informative for all generations. If a local museum, a zoo, or an aquarium has special holiday events or exhibits, plan a visit—it’s a chance to explore new interests and learn about different subjects. Alternatively, you could try simple, holiday-themed science experiments at home. These activities can spark curiosity and are a terrific way to learn together.

Give back to the community: Involving your grandkids in giving back to the community can be a meaningful holiday activity to explore. Look for opportunities to volunteer together, such as sorting donations at a food bank or participating in a charity event. Crafting holiday cards or gifts for local shelters or nursing homes can also be a wonderful way to teach values like kindness and generosity. These experiences help instill a sense of empathy and connection to the wider community. And they can also be the start of an annual holiday tradition.

While planning is essential, being flexible is equally important. Sometimes the best moments come from spontaneous activities or unplanned events. Create a cozy space where you can all relax together, perhaps with blankets, hot cocoa, and a good book or movie. Emphasize enjoying each other’s company and creating an easygoing, festive atmosphere.

If you enjoyed this article, you might want to consider bookmarking the Life Protect Blog and stopping back a few times each month. We update it regularly with posts about healthy aging, fitness, nutrition, caregiving, and more!

Will you be visiting with your grandchildren this holiday season? If you are struggling to plan intergenerational activities, we have a few ideas that may help.

Tips for Spending Time With the Grandkids During the Holidays

The life of a family caregiver is usually very hectic, and the holidays can be especially overwhelming. An already overbooked schedule can leave little time for a senior’s primary caregiver to relax and celebrate the season with friends and loved ones. It can leave them feeling isolated and alone. In fact, the risk of a caregiver experiencing depression increases during the holidays.

One solution for families to consider is respite. These are short-term care services designed to give caregivers a break. Sometimes that might be a volunteer donating their time to help a senior loved one, and other times it might be enlisting the services of a paid respite professional.

Let’s take a look at all the options you might want to consider this season.

Understanding the Different Types of Respite Services

Short-term respite care can generally be divided into two groups: formal and informal care. Both can be supportive options for a caregiver who is struggling to manage many responsibilities and left wondering how they will ever find time to celebrate the festive season ahead.

Informal respite services: This can be as simple as asking a friend or family member to sit with your loved one for a few hours while you do some holiday shopping or attend a party. It gives you the time you need, while also providing some company for your senior family member to enjoy. Some churches and synagogues have friendly-visitor programs that send volunteers to pay visits to homebound seniors. They can spend time reading, playing cards, or watching movies with your loved one. It’s an informal way to give the caregiver some time to themselves.

Formal respite care: Another form of respite a family can benefit from is employing a paid professional to assist. It might be a private duty home care agency, an adult day center, or an assisted living community. Depending on what your needs are this holiday season, respite in an assisted living community may be an ideal solution. It can give the primary caregiver a break for more than a few hours. And respite services can be an important part of a loved one’s emergency caregiving backup plan. In the event of a crisis involving the primary caregiver, you’ll already have an established relationship with a provider.

How to Select a Holiday Respite Care Partner

If you want to attend an out-of-town family gathering or take a holiday vacation to celebrate the new year, explore respite care at an assisted living community. Your loved one will enjoy the same services and amenities as a long-term resident.

Here are a few tips for finding one that you and your senior loved one will both feel confident in:

Schedule an in-person tour: Before you make this decision, visit each of the assisted living communities you are considering in person. While recommendations from people you trust are definitely important, nothing matters more than visiting the community and meeting the team.

Review state survey results: Assisted living communities are regulated at the state level. Each state has its own rules for communities to follow, and they are inspected on a regular basis. Many states post survey results on their website to make it easy for the public to view. If your state doesn’t do this, ask the community for a copy to review.

Obtain a list of costs: Assisted living fees and expenses can vary greatly from one community to another. Some communities offer a comprehensive daily fee for respite care, while others assess charges based on your loved one’s specific needs. Be sure you have a comprehensive list of what is included and what isn’t, and what additional fees to anticipate.

Ask about the community’s emergency plan: One last suggestion is to ask what happens in the event of an emergency. For example, what is the procedure if your senior loved one experiences a medical event during their stay? Or if a storm causes flooding or knocks out the electricity? Knowing the community has a plan in place for various crises is essential.

Consider a Mobile Monitoring Device for a Senior’s Safety

One way to give your family greater peace of mind about a loved one’s safety is to invest in a mobile monitoring device. These discreet units can be easily slipped into the older adult’s pocket. In the event of an emergency, the user can summon help with the press of a button. Call 1-844-203-5617 to learn more today!

The holidays can be overwhelming and isolating for caregivers. Respite care can be a solution that allows them to relax and enjoy the season.

How Respite Care Can Help Caregivers Enjoy the Holidays

Spokane Police Officer Makes Christmas Possible for Families in Need

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