By Betty Forte, MD
The holidays are a time for family and tradition, a special time when seniors can recall celebrating with family and friends. The season can also bring a sense of loneliness as lives have changed, but there are ways to make sure this time of year remains joyful, while creating new memories.
Certain things make seniors feel lonely during the holidays: maybe they are unable to go out and meet family members or friends, help decorate, or go from store to store to buy presents. Studies have shown that loneliness increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and dementia, but there are things family and loved ones can do to make sure seniors enjoy the experience, along with everyone else.
Reaching Out
During the holidays it is very important for seniors to reach out to their families and vice versa. Seniors who are tech savvy can use Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime to talk to their children, grandchildren, and friends. This interaction brings about a feeling of cohesiveness and bonding and makes seniors feel included.
The holidays can be a fun time again—if families understand the importance of reaching out. Knowing that a senior member of their family has limitations, such as a lack of mobility or health concerns, act accordingly and with patience. Encourage them to get out of the house and join other members of the family. Treating him or her to a special holiday dinner is an excellent idea, but never press the issue. Present the positives, never the negatives, and encourage seniors to take advantage of every opportunity available to them to stay active. Sometimes they may not want to go out, and if that’s the case, accept their decision. Always strive to be encouraging.
Tips for a Joyful Holiday
Participation is always the key; the more seniors participate, the better their state of mind. If they can’t decorate the house, a family member can come over and give them a helping hand. It’s also great when family members sit down to look at old photos of holidays past and talk about the traditions that continue. Some of those traditions may have been started by the elder member of the family, and it gives him or her a great sense of pride knowing that tradition they started continues. There are also activities available to seniors throughout the community to keep them involved, including as toy collections, gift wrapping, food bank collections and more. Cooking together can provide a sense of contact and involvement—especially when it’s a traditional family recipe.
Warning Signs of the Holiday Blues
One of the foremost signs of depression is when a person withdraws and shows little or no interest. Another red flag is a change in eating habits. Some seniors tend to eat more, while others greatly reduce their food intake. Since the holidays are a traditional time for great food and goodies, not eating is a telltale sign of depression. Another warning sign is a lack of concentration causing the senior to not want to engage in conversation. A common thread among seniors is becoming depressed over a task that was once easy but is now more difficult. There is a sense of being overwhelmed which creates a loss of confidence. This may be one of the reasons why seniors—especially men—tend to withdraw. Sadly, loneliness is also associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Conviva Wellness Centers
Being active is extremely important for seniors physically and mentally. To that end, Conviva has wellness centers that offer opportunities to participate in activities, have fun, and enjoy interacting with others. At the Miami Lakes center, we offer Zumba classes twice a week—based on the physical capacity of our senior participants. Conviva centers also offer Tai Chi and various courses to keep the senior’s brain sharp. All the physicians and care team are willing to chat with patients about their feelings and what they can do to have a better, more joyful holiday season. Conviva also has access to mental health providers to help those in need of more assistance.
Putting joy back into the holidays takes a unified effort by both seniors and family. It can be done with understanding and patience by both parties.
For information about Conviva Miami Lakes, call (786) 751-5687.
