Lohri is a festival of warmth. We gather around the bonfire, share food, sing together, and celebrate protection from the cold winter nights. At its heart, Lohri is about looking out for one another—a reminder that no one should face the harshness of winter alone. As we celebrate, it’s worth pausing to think about our parents and elders. For them, winter is not just a season of festivals; it is also a time when aches worsen, balance becomes unsteady, and health risks quietly increase. This Lohri, beyond sweets and celebrations, care may be the most meaningful gift we can offer.
Cold weather affects older adults differently. Joints stiffen, muscles tighten, and movements slow down. Conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, and balance disorders tend to worsen during winter months. Even simple tasks—getting out of bed in the morning or walking to the bathroom at night—can become risky. Falls are more common in winter, and their consequences are often severe. A single slip can lead to fractures, hospitalisation, and a long road to recovery. What looks like “just old age” is often a sign that extra support is needed.
Lohri brings families together, but once the festival ends, life returns to routine. Many elderly parents go back to spending long hours alone at home. This is when risks often go unnoticed—missed meals, delayed medications, unreported pain, or a fall that no one witnesses. Care isn’t only about being present during festivals. It’s about what happens after the lights dim and the music stops.
Taking care of aging parents doesn’t mean taking away their independence. It means paying attention. Noticing if they are walking more slowly. Asking if they feel dizzy or unsteady. Making small changes at home to reduce fall risk. Encouraging movement, warmth, and rest in equal measure. Sometimes care is as simple as a daily phone call. Sometimes it’s accompanying them to a doctor’s visit. And sometimes it’s acknowledging that they may need extra protection—even if they don’t ask for it.
Lohri reminds us that protection is a shared responsibility. Just as people once gathered around a fire to stay safe from winter’s cold, today we must gather around our elders with awareness, planning, and compassion. Food, clothes, and gifts bring momentary joy. But consistent care brings safety, dignity, and peace of mind—for them and for us.
This Lohri, let’s celebrate more than a festival. Let’s celebrate the people who raised us, protected us, and guided us through life. Let’s make sure they are not facing winter’s risks alone. Because in the end, the real gift isn’t what we place in their hands—it’s the care we build around their lives, every single day. This Lohri, care is the real gift we can give our parents.
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