There are more than 100,000 Illinoisans living in nursing homes throughout the state. This holiday season is the perfect time for family and friends to take time out of their busy schedules and stop by to spend quality time with their loved ones.

To make visits enjoyable and rewarding for all, the Illinois Council on Long Term Care, an association of nursing home professionals, offers several ideas from which you can create your own holiday memories.

Imagine a granddaughter helping her grandma decorate her room. Envision a son designing a life storybook that showcases his father’s life experiences. Picture a sister playing the piano as she and her brother sing their favorite holiday music. See a young girl and her brother sitting with their aunt to help write holiday letters. Visualize friends sharing stories of holidays past. These are all simple ways to make a sometimes dark holiday season bright.

While going to the nursing home to create new memories during the holidays is very important, the Council encourages everyone to remember grandmas, grandpas, moms, dads, aunts, uncles and friends in nursing homes throughout the year. It is important that all of us take active roles in helping seniors who live in nursing homes feel valued and appreciated.

Terrence Sullivan

Executive Director

Illinois Council on Long Term Care