Holidays in Lincoln: Helping Those in Need

The holiday season can be full of joyful activities, but for those who have no family or friends nearby – especially older people – the holidays can be a time when they feel especially lonely.

Some senior citizens are independent and active, but if you know of any seniors in your community who might need a little help or holiday cheer, there’s no better time to offer. Here are some ideas.

Help with yard work. Offer to help an elderly neighbor by raking and bagging leaves.

Offer to help with holiday decorations. See if you can give them a hand putting up – and taking down – their holiday decorations.

Visit a nursing home. Many nursing homes in the Lincoln area welcome volunteers to visit with or read to their residents.

Help during bad weather. Offer to shovel the walk or driveway; and check to make sure they have everything they need – electricity, food, and medicine.

Help with shopping. See if you can make a trip to the grocery store for them; or ask if they need any other shopping done.

Take them out to dinner. Having a nice outing at a favorite restaurant is a very nice break in the routine.

Offer to take a walk with them. Walks are good exercise for everyone, and having company makes it that much better.

Offer to take them where they need to go. Life can be challenging if you no longer drive. Check to see if they need a ride anywhere – to church or synagogue, to see a friend, or just to run errands.

Offer to play cards or board games. Set up a regular time, whether it’s once a month or once a week, to play cards or board games, or even to learn some new ones together.

Help with housework. Check if they need any help with any housecleaning – washing dishes, washing windows, or even taking out the trash.

Get your kids involved. It can be wonderful to watch different generations interact. They can share their favorite dances, songs, TV shows, and movies with each other and everyone will have a good time.

Help them get on the Web. If they want to learn, and you have the time to teach them, they might enjoy the nearly unlimited social, entertainment, and educational aspects of the Internet. They might even find a long-lost friend to email.

Be a good listener. Sometimes seniors don’t have very many people to talk to and just having a nice visit can brighten everyone’s day.

Let them know they can call on you. Just knowing that someone is looking out for them can mean so much.