The holiday season can bring on a case of the holiday blues for your loved one living in an assisted living facility. Luckily, you and your family can help ease some of those blues by taking steps before and during the holiday season. Here are eight ways to help your loved one handle the holidays while living in a facility. 

1. Take your loved one shopping. A day away from the facility spent buying gifts for family and friends can help put your loved one in a good mood. If you live too far away to take your loved one shopping, talk to the facility about arranging a trip with a health care worker. 
2. Bring in special treats. Foods such as baked goods can help brighten your loved one's spirits. Before taking the treats, check with the facility for special restrictions so that you choose an appropriate treat. 
3. Have a family dinner. If your loved one is unable to leave for the holidays, have a family dinner there. You can work with the facility's staff to designate an area in which to have the dinner. Each family member can bring food and spend time with your loved one. 
4. Decorate his or her room. Put up appropriate holiday decorations in your loved one's room. You can even put up holiday lights with the help of a timer. 
5. Buy a special gift. Take into consideration your loved one's interests and buy a special gift that incorporates that interest. For instance, if your loved one likes to watch birds, buy a bird feeder and have it installed outside his or her room so that he or she can watch the birds that feed. 
6. Send out holiday cards. Keeping up with rituals are important during the holidays. Help your loved one address and send out holiday cards to friends and family so that he or she does not feel like this particular ritual has been interrupted.
7. Make a visiting schedule. The more time your family spends with your loved one, the less likely he or she will develop holiday blues. Sit down with your family and create a schedule for visiting so that your loved one does not go without visitors for more than a few days. 
8. Create a scrapbook. As you and your family join your loved one to celebrate holidays, take plenty of pictures. Use those pictures to create a scrapbook that he or she can enjoy for years to come. 

The holidays can be depressing for your loved one, but you can lessen those feelings by using some of these tips. You should also talk to the facility, like ComForcare Home Care Mountainside, NJ, to learn more ways to help your loved one stay in good spirits through the holidays.