Creating Safe, and Inclusive Family Visits During the Holidays

The holiday season brings joy, connection, and the chance to gather with loved ones. For the individuals and families we serve across long-term care, senior living, home health, and pediatric settings, these visits are meaningful opportunities to celebrate, reminisce, and strengthen relationships.

But new environments, crowded gatherings, and unpredictable routines can also present challenges — especially for older adults, adults with disabilities, individuals with cognitive or sensory needs, and children who may become overwhelmed.

As therapy professionals and partner organizations, we have a unique role in supporting families to create safe, comfortable, and successful holiday experiences.

Preparing for New Environments: Adults with Disabilities

Adults with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities may encounter barriers when visiting family homes or community settings. Therapists can help families plan ahead to ensure safety, access, and dignity.

Key considerations include:

• Mobility & Accessibility:
  • Identify entry steps, narrow hallways, scatter rugs, or uneven flooring.
  • Ensure a clear pathway to seating, bathrooms, and dining areas.
  • Consider portable ramps, grab bars, or assistive devices.
• Bathroom Safety:
  • Use raised seats, non-slip mats, or provide caregiver assistance as needed.
  • Prepare for privacy and comfort in unfamiliar spaces.
• Sensory or Cognitive Needs:
  • Reduce clutter and excessive noise.
  • Avoid overstimulating decorations or lighting.
  • Provide clear signs or visual cues for key areas (bathroom, kitchen, exit).
• Routine & Predictability:
  • Maintain medication schedules, meal timing, and familiar mobility routines.
  • Offer quiet space or a “break area” to rest or regroup.

Therapists can provide home safety consultations, caregiver training, and holiday-specific tools (like checklists or environmental assessments) to support smooth and safe visits.

Supporting Children Who Become Overwhelmed

The holidays can be exciting — but also overstimulating — for many children, especially those with sensory, emotional, or developmental needs.

Therapists can coach families to:

• Prepare in Advance:
  • Discuss what to expect: new people, loud noises, greetings, transitions, meals.
  • Use social stories, visual schedules, or practice scenarios.
• Create Predictable Routines:
  • Maintain sleep and eating schedules as closely as possible.
  • Build in movement breaks, sensory tools, or quiet time between activities.
• Monitor Overload:
  • Look for early signs: fidgeting, withdrawal, irritability, pacing, emotional shifts.
  • Offer calming strategies — deep pressure, breathing exercises, or a preferred activity.
• Set Expectations for Family Members:
  • Encourage gentle greetings rather than forced hugs or physical contact.
  • Let relatives know what helps the child feel safe and included.
• Give Options and Flexibility:
  • Allow the child to choose how long to stay and when to take breaks.
  • Create an “exit plan” if the environment becomes too overwhelming.

Occupational, speech, and physical therapists are often central in helping families build these strategies, promoting both participation and emotional well-being.

Safety During Seasonal Illness Surges

Holiday gatherings increase exposure to respiratory viruses and gastrointestinal illnesses. Therapists can reinforce:

• Hand hygiene before meals and after travel
• Masking if individuals are at high risk
• Staying home when sick
• Cleaning high-touch surfaces
• Planning small-group visits if needed

These prevention strategies protect vulnerable residents, children, and adults with chronic conditions.

Supporting Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Well-Being

Therapists can help families create meaningful, person-centered experiences:

• For older adults:
  • Offer simple reminiscence activities, music, photo albums, or familiar holiday rituals.
• For adults with dementia or cognitive decline:
  • Avoid rapid-fire questions and instead use calm conversation, validation, and gentle engagement.
• For children:
  • Use play-based traditions, movement activities, or tasks that allow active participation.

The goal is connection, not perfection.

Building Confidence Through Health Literacy

Therapists play a powerful educational role in helping families understand:

• Environmental risks
• Sensory triggers
• Safe mobility strategies
• How fatigue or overstimulation can affect behavior
• How to support independence while ensuring safety

By equipping families with clear, simple, and practical knowledge, we empower them to create successful and joyful holiday moments.

A Season for Connection

At Healthpro-Heritage, we believe that holiday visits should be joyful, inclusive, and accessible for every individual — regardless of age, mobility, sensory needs, or medical condition.

Therapists are essential partners in this mission. Your expertise helps families not only celebrate together, but thrive together.

As we enter this holiday season, we extend our gratitude to the clinicians, caregivers, and communities who continue to place safety, compassion, and dignity at the center of every visit.