December 9, 2022
For many the holiday season is a joyful, happy time built around togetherness, family, and friends, but for some it can be very stressful and filled with overwhelming expectations, depression, and anxiety. The holiday season can be a reminder of those who are not with us anymore, financial limitations, sadness from being separated from loved ones, and the loss of treasured traditions. Celebrating this time of year doesn’t have to be a sad or overwhelming time. It can be a peaceful time of reminiscing, volunteering, spending time with friends, and creating new traditions!
Some causes of depression during the holiday season could be missing loved ones that have passed or live far away, missing traditions, the change in the weather, and financial burden. Signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor during the holiday season include the resident becoming withdrawn, not enjoying activities that they used to love, increased fatigue, being irritable or emotional, and decreased appetite.
We can help eliminate the holiday blues for our residents by encouraging engagement with other residents in activities, keeping a positive outlook, observing their emotional needs, spending quality time with the residents, learning about their traditions, and trying to make new traditions. We can provide social interactions and events, making new traditions among the community.
Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in the elderly during the holiday season. To combat this, we need to encourage socialization and activities, invite family and friends, encourage exercise, to help with emotional stress, and be someone that listens.
The holiday season means different things to each of us. The holidays are about family, friends, food, and tradition. For many, the smells, taste, and decorations bring memories flooding back. We at Cedar Trails Senior Living hope some of these ideas will be helpful as the holidays approach.
Cedar Trails Senior Living in Freeburg, IL offers independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near St. Elizabeth’s Hospital with convenient access to major shopping centers, including The Orchards Golf Club, Target, Eckerts Belleville Farm, Braeutigam Orchards, and the Belle Clair fairgrounds & Expo Center.