Safe and Festive Waysto Celebrate the Holidays During COVID-19

Table of Contents2

3Preparing Your Facility for the Holidays

What You’ll Learn

10 Tips to Help Patients Celebrate Safely 4-5

The holidays represent a special time of year when family and friends come together. But with

COVID-19 continuing to impact visitation at assisted living facilities throughout the country, it’s

important for patients to have opportunities to take part in festivities even if they may not be

able to so in person. This is particularly true for those suffering from depression, who may feel

more isolated during the holidays if they can’t be with loved ones. Find out how your facility

can help by designing new ways for patients to celebrate and feel included.

What You’ll Learn

2

Health Risks of Loneliness:

An increased risk of premature death from all causes

a 50% increased risk of dementia

29% increased risk of heart disease and 32% increased risk of stroke

Higher rates of depression,

anxiety and suicide

— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Recognizing the significant toll physical separation

from family and other loved ones has taken on patients,

visitation rules for assisted living facilities have been

eased by states. However, as the COVID-19 health

crisis continues to evolve, it is important for facilities to

enforce internal policies and procedures.

While your facility may have relaxed some stricter

measures, now is a good time to review your practices

for visits to help protect your patients and staff during

the busy holiday season. Points to consider include:

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Preparing Your Facility for the Holidays

• Tracking facility levels of COVID-19

• Screening measures for visitors

• Face-covering and physical distancing

requirements

• Routine staff testing

• Designated visitation hours and scheduled,

staggered visits

• Ensuring adequate PPE

• The availability of outdoor visit areas, weather

permitting

• Cleaning of frequently touched surfaces in

designated visitation areas after each visit

• State and local travel advisories

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10 Tips to Help Residents Celebrate Safely

1. Since music is beneficials to seniors both mentally

and physically, organize a Christmas caroling

sing-along

2. Create craft activities such as holiday cards, frames,

wreaths or ornaments and provide all the materials

patients need

3. Stage an annual tree lighting that patients and their

loved ones can attend outdoors in a safe, physically

distant way

4. Arrange a virtual recipe swap to encourage patients

to try some new holiday dishes and share some of

their family favorites, then have participants share

videos or pictures of the results

5. Spray the scent of cinnamon, peppermint or fresh pine

to help patients and their visitors get into the spirit – or

provide residents the ingredients to make their own

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6. Air popular seasonal sporting events, movies and

events like The Nutcracker ballet and provide popcorn

bags to patients

7. Suggest residents volunteer to give back during the

holidays by knitting or crocheting hats for winter

clothing drives

8. Bake gingerbread or other holiday cookies on

National Bake Cookies Day, which is December 18,

2020

9. Decorate visitation areas and line outdoor walking

paths with lights and décor to encourage family

strolls outside

10. Offer a selection of holiday-themed books –

quarantining them after each use – and encourage

patients to read the stories out loud to their

grandchildren online

Contact us at PharMerica@pharmerica.com

or 855-637-1755 to learn more.

PharMerica is redefining pharmacy management service for skilled nursing

facilities, long-term care facilities, hospitals and other care settings.

With a singular focus on tailored customer service, we collaborate with our clients

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