Spark holiday memories for seniors

There is nothing better than Christmas morning, the first night of Hanukkah, or a Kwanzaa ceremony as a child in your family home.  It is easy to bring those memories back to life for seniors by tapping into their senses.
 
The simplest way to do so is with old photos. Dig up old photos of holiday memories. If they are worn out or fading, the holidays are the perfect time to have them retouched. The new version of old photos will make it easier for seniors to see the details, in turn, bringing back fond memories that you can enjoy talking about together. 
 
Another great way to tap into cognitive recall, is to focus on aromas. Consider bringing the smells of Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa to life for your loved one. Did they have a real tree each year growing up?  Did their family bake a certain type of sweet for the holidays? Bring back those cherished memories with a pine scented candle gift or bake their favorite old fashioned holiday treat.  ​

If you choose to bake or even buy a treat, that too will bring back memories through taste as well as filling the room with a heartwarming smell. Experts say taste is associated with memories of being in a location where something positive happened. 
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Happy Holidays from all of us at Melody Living! To learn more about Melody Living’s assisted living community in Colorado Springs give us a call at 719.960.4005.