Christmas is our favorite time of the year and spending it with our senior family members is key. However, due to the high risk, it is important to think about important factors before planning. Here are some considerations for hosting an event from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):  

• Review the COVID-19 rates in your area via the local health department – If the rates are high, you might want to consider holding off.
• Limit the amount of people attending – Make sure that guest can socially distance.
• Host the event outdoors – Allow for ventilation and use open air tents when possible.
• Require masks – Make it clear that guests should always be wearing masks except when eating and drinking.
• Avoid loud shouting or singing – Try to keep the music down so that people avoid shouting.
• Provide guests with rules for proper hygiene and safety guidelines – Encourage guests to wash hands for at least 20 seconds, use sanitizer, and provide social distancing rules.
• Provide supplies – Keep masks, sanitizer, and hand soap.
• Limit contact – Make sure the setup is conducive to limit contact with each other such as sharing.
• Disinfect all commonly touched areas – Try to clean all areas before, during, and after the event.
• Use contact free garbage cans – Use gloves when handling trash.
• Request guests to avoid contact – It’s a difficult ask, but request that guests do not have contact with outside households for 14 days before the event
• Keep pets away – Do not let pets interact with people during the event.

The key is to be safe and be responsible when planning. We all want to spend time with our senior loved ones but remember what it could mean.

Source: https://www.visitingangels.com/knowledge-center/senior-health-and-well-being/how-to-celebrate-the-holidays-with-seniors-during-covid-19/541