Caring for an older person, whether as a professional caregiver or as a spouse or adult child of an older person in need of care, requires a lot of energy at any time of the year. The holidays are no different, so making sure you have the downtime you need and celebrating the fresh start of a new year is important. Creating fun New Year’s Eve festivities doesn’t have to be a very complicated and complicated process. Combining a special occasion with the daily needs of caring for an older person pays tribute to both the holidays and your dedication to caring.

Plan the party

Everyone likes to feel needed, so include your senior in the planning process. Ask him what he remembers from years past, what he liked and what he didn’t like. Put it to work writing a shopping list for yourself that includes favorite snacks, drinks, and fun New Year’s Eve hats. Decide what you’ll be wearing to add a hint of festivity, and plan to add a little sparkle to your senior’s outfit. If possible, ask for help with the actual shopping, whether your helper does the shopping or stays with your senior while you get some fresh air.

Explore the memories

New Year’s Eve is usually a time for reflection. Gather old albums and framed photographs of the house and take some time to look at them with your senior. Hear the stories the photos draw from your memories. It’s so easy to forget that she used to be a young, vibrant teenager, with the hopes and dreams of her entire life in front of her. If possible, have someone else there as a scribe to record your oldest child’s memories. Ask questions, not about the dates, but about how you felt when it rained, how the watermelon tasted, what your first kiss was like.

Rediscover Music

Find a music station on the Internet that plays music from your older child’s favorite musical era. Stations that play every genre imaginable are available on sites like Shoutcast, Spotify, or iHeartRadio. Playing “Name that Tune” gets everyone interested in music and gives your oldest child a chance to shine.

The ball falls

The highlight of every New Year’s Eve is the throw of the ball in Times Square in New York City. If it is not possible to stay up until midnight, find a video of the ball falling in years past on YouTube and watch it in your time. Another option is to celebrate the New Year with a completely different time zone than yours, so you are celebrating at 3pm instead of midnight.

No matter when or how you celebrate it, wear your silly New Years hats and raise a glass of champagne, sparkling cider, or other beverage to toast New Year’s wishes.