Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1195815
S8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 DECEMBER 2019 ELDERLY CARE CHRISTMAS is a time when we talk a lot about love, about family, about joy. It is, however, also a time for contradictions and irony; a feast very signifi- cant religiously however ironi- cally also very consumeristic, a time of peace and joy, however, in some countries security is elevated because of threats of terrorism, and a time of fam- ily and friends when at this time some people feel the most lonely. Christmas brings with it hope, however it also brings with it realisations of times gone by. We bereave loved ones that are not there to celebrate this feast with us, empty places at tables where family members used to sit. The older we get the more this realisation presents it- self. Some elderly describe it as the saddest part of the year because they find themselves alone without spouses or fam- ilies to share Christmas with, and empty houses which were once full of children's laugh- ter. These are times where argu- ments about the benefits of elderly living in a Care Home are presented. Being in a Carehome makes you part of a community. New friendships are made, and there is no place to be lonely. What you can do is choose to be alone, but that is by choice. During these festive times Care Homes organise daily events leading to the buildup of Christmas, everywhere is brightly decorated and gives a homely feeling, and tradi- tional Christmas sweets are baked. Relatives and friends are invited to come over to parties organised within the Home so that people are brought together. This, tied to all the religious activities celebrated through- out the season, brings Christ- mas alive to the elderly's' lives. This year at Simblija the theme was "You are the rea- son to celebrate the season" making the elderly person the centre of all we do, as we re- ally wanted to concentrate the importance on the elderly person by giving them a re- ally unique Christmas experi- ence. This theme is running through all our activities in our events calendar, including a visit by Santa on his sleigh to meet all the elderly and take photos. This was a real blast from the past which brought big smiles to the residents' faces. A "Nannu nanna tea party" was also organised where grandchildren were invited to join their grandmothers or grandfathers for fun activities and good food, whilst bring- ing families together to have fun and spend time together. School children are brought over to carol sing to the el- derly and bring smiles to their faces. The meeting of genera- tions is always a great sight to see and the interaction always overwhelming. Food is never forgotten and our in-house kitchen bakes and cooks spe- cial Christmas meals and Christmas sweets, never over- looking those with dietary needs, in order for everyone to be able to indulge. All in all the elderly at Sim- blija never have a dull mo- ment at this time of year and through the team's work we commit to bringing to them all the joy and Christmas spirt we can to help them enjoy and have a good time. We want to give memories to years. Good memories both to them and to their relatives who visit them. Elderly who had been home bound before coming to the home because of disability, lack of transport or use of wheelchairs can now still join in and participate. This helps relatives feel reassured that their loved one is really hav- ing a good Christmas whilst spending time with them en- joying some of the activities. All in all, it is, I believe, a celebration to life; the reality that they are still here, and can enjoy, smile and laugh with others. It is a time to enjoy new friendships and experience new experiences. A time to help them feel pam- pered, after a life of maybe putting together and organis- ing so many Christmases for others before them. And so this is Christmas…