BriggsNetNews

Communication:

• Communicate with residents and loved ones regarding holiday events and plans.
• Remind residents, families/loved ones, and staff about the policy and protocols for bringing outside food or treats in for their resident.
• Remind residents, families/loved ones, and staff about the steps to be taken when bringing in gifts for the residents to ensure they get to the right resident and to mitigate any potential loss. Inventory of Personal Effects forms can be found here and are a great way to catalog incoming resident gifts.
• Remind residents, families/loved ones, and staff of any restrictions that are in place with holiday decorations including those requiring a power source.
• If you have a locked unit, remind visitors of steps necessary to keep residents safe.

Space, Scheduling, and Logistics:

• For residents with virtual visitors, does the resident or their loved one need help setting up the technology or private space for the visit?
• Is there extra space needed for visitors and will spaces requiring reservation be labeled to avoid confusion?
• Will you need to adjust your grocery order to accommodate the number of guests attending the holiday meal?

Infection Control:

• Stock infection prevention supplies (e.g., hand sanitizer, masks, soap and paper towels) throughout the community to ensure it is readily available for all to use. If you are in need of supplies, Briggs can help! Our product inventory can be found here.
• Communicate any resident isolation considerations to families/loved ones as needed and as allowed by the resident.
• Encourage residents, families/loved ones, and staff to practice hand hygiene and other infection prevention practices.
• If a resident or visitor becomes ill, remind them virtual visits are possible.

Engagement and Activities:

• For residents who reside in memory care households, remind visitors to live in the moment, to manage their expectations and to be flexible during their visits and to simplify the traditions and events they are planning with their residents.
• For residents who do not have in person or virtual visitors, create a plan to include them in community activities and to make them feel special and celebrated.
• Consider outreach to organizations and groups that enjoy visiting and spending time with residents during the holiday season.
• Plan lots of fun, engaging, and inclusive activities. Activity Posters are available here and can be posted throughout your community to help spread the word!

Staff Support & Expectations:

• Remind staff that in some instances, holidays are the only time families can come to visit their loved ones in person and while they engage with the residents daily and experience their changes alongside them, families may not expect the changes that have occurred. As a result, families may have additional questions or voice concerns. This may seem frustrating in the moment, however, it is a good reminder they can be helpful and supportive to families/loved ones too during this time.  
• As caregivers, take time for yourselves and enjoy your families and loved ones during this season.
• Plan events with your team of coworkers to recognize and celebrate each other.
• Consider ways to incorporate the families of staff into community events to support your staff and to engage everyone in intergenerational activities.