The holidays remain special at Abbington of Pickerington Assisted Living

The holiday season is special to all of us. Warm fires, Christmas trees decorated with ornaments familiar and personal, gifts wrapped in green and red paper, the sounds of voices singing timeless songs, and all the nostalgic milieu that defines the season soothes the soul. This is especially true as we age. It’s important. It’s simple happiness. Not a bit of that joy should be sacrificed in a move to Pickerington assisted living. At Abbington of Pickerington Assisted Living, it isn’t.

The staff and administration at Abbington of Pickerington Assisted Living are committed to ensuring that our residents enjoy life as much as they always have. That takes empathy, authenticity, and effort. It means when the holidays roll around, they should be embraced, not merely acknowledged. “Busy work” doesn’t make a full life. Our goal is to sincerely honor the traditions that are important to our residents. That’s why each of our buildings is different, unique. Each building has its own personality, and each activity director upholds his/her responsibility to listen to his/her particular residents in order to personalize their experience.

The residents at Abbington of Pickerington Assisted Living really do consider this their home and they take great pride in contributing to its decorations. In the weeks leading up to Christmas and Hanukkah, the activity directors encourage residents to add their own decorations to the common areas and the trees and to their private homes. Mandated and uniform decorations handed down from administration wouldn’t truly celebrate the spirit of the season at all. It wouldn’t mean the same thing. It would suggest to residents that they’re living somewhere other than home. That’s why the activity directors put it in the hands of the residents and facilitate their wishes.

A couple weeks before Christmas, everyone comes together for a big holiday party. It’s time they can share with each other to grow closer. It reinforces the notion that this is a community of friendly neighbors, not a hotel. We provide live music, either a guitar or a choir singing carols, depending on the wishes of the residents. Santa Claus may visit to take pictures with residents and their families. We even have activity rooms where residents can host their families for holiday meals. Being a host can be good for one’s self esteem, a reminder that they still have plenty to offer the ones they love. And on Christmas Day there’s a wonderful holiday meal for everyone to enjoy together, complete with a carving station. It’s not holiday-themed cafeteria food; it’s a proper meal for a proper holiday celebration.

At Abbington of Pickerington Assisted Living, we want to help all our residents enjoy the moment while also celebrating their memories. This is their home and there’s no place like home for the holidays.