Making time for older adults, helping them find activities they enjoy and can participate in, and even setting them up with technologies that can keep them involved in holiday plans, can help them combat the holiday blues.
Many people find the holidays difficult, but older adults may find this period particularly challenging. Feelings of loneliness and sadness can surface, especially if loved ones are no longer around to share in the festivities.
The holiday season can feel stressful, with lots of planning, preparation, and scheduling that can bring about feelings of pressure and ultimately sadness. This is often referred to as the “holiday blues.”
It’s easy to get overwhelmed during the holidays, with lots of advertisements featuring friends and families spending time together and creating joyful, happy memories in various settings.
This can act as a painful reminder of those no longer with us and cause frustration if health conditions prevent travel or limit participation.
The holidays are often filled with happiness, but they can cause a range of powerful emotions for people of all ages. Older adults in particular
- grieving loved ones
- isolation
- physical limitations that may make participating in festivities more difficult
- financial constraints
seasonal affective disorder (SAD) , a form of depression stemming from the changing seasons
Older adults can have
Where you live
Living at home can have its challenges. Older adults may have recently retired and have a lot more time for themselves, but are unsure of how to fill it. It can be especially difficult if they have recently lost a loved one and may be at home alone for the first time.
Alternatively, older adults may live in a care facility, which can be a huge change to their usual routine. It can take time to adjust to new surroundings and rules.
Experiencing loss
Experiencing loss and the grief that comes with it isn’t easy at any age. However, the longer people live, the more likely they are to face a notable loss, which comes in many forms.
Children grow up and move away from the family home. Friends and family members pass away. Important and meaningful chapters of older adults’ lives can come to a natural end.
Older adults may also experience loss relating to new physical limitations. They may experience chronic health conditions that can make it difficult to perform
Chronic health conditions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around
New or a history of mental health conditions
If an older adult has had mental health conditions throughout their life, these should continue to be monitored closely with age.
Research suggests that the
- sleep disturbances
- a family history of depression
- traumatic life events, such as the death of a loved one
- social isolation and loneliness
- medical conditions, such as stroke or cancer
- alcohol use disorder (AUD)
To help an older adult with holiday blues, it’s important to know the
- changes in appetite or eating habits
- losing interest in activities that they usually enjoy
- withdrawing themselves from others or avoiding social situations
- indicating hopelessness or despair
According to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, depression is not a typical part of aging. If you feel an older adult in your life may be experiencing something more severe than the holiday blues, consider speaking with them about how you can help. Additionally, encourage them to contact a mental health professional.
You can take
Keep in touch
It’s important to remain in contact with your older loved ones, even during the lead-up to the holidays. Remembering them and including them in preparations and plans can help them avoid feeling lonely.
You can set a daily contact schedule with your loved ones and include other family members, friends, and neighbors. Contact can be in person, voice or video call, email, or text message, and encouraging them to speak with people they trust can help them to share how they’re feeling.
If the older adults in your life are unfamiliar with up-to-date technologies, you can help them set up video calls and smart speakers to keep them engaged and connected with the world. They can also enroll in local tech classes to help them use laptops and engage in social media.
Socializing and learning
There are many activities that older adults of all capabilities can take part in. Encourage them to get involved in local community groups, learn new skills in classes that interest them, or visit faith-based organizations. These activities can help them build and strengthen relationships.
During the holiday period, they can prepare letters or cards to send to friends and family. If they have enrolled in a class or have hobbies they already pursue, these should be nurtured. They may be able to use those skills to make decorations or gifts for the upcoming festivities.
Physical activity
It’s important for older adults to remain as physically active as possible. Older adults need to consider finding ways to exercise.
According to the CDC, older adults should aim for
It also recommends at least 2 days of muscle-strengthening exercises and activities that improve balance.
Older adults may experience feelings of sadness over the holidays, often referred to as the holiday blues.
Being lonely and feeling isolated can significantly affect your loved one’s life. Therefore, ensuring regular communication, including them in social activities, and helping them find and participate in hobbies they enjoy can make a huge difference in their life.
Older adults may only feel holiday blues for a short time, but if you notice signs of depression, you can encourage them to speak with a mental health professional or medical team for help.