December 1, 2023
For many, the holiday season is a joyful, happy time built around togetherness, family, and friends. Still, 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.
At Arrow Senior Living, we understand celebrating this time of year doesn’t have to be sad or overwhelming. It can be a peaceful time of reminiscing, volunteering, spending time with friends, and creating new traditions!
The signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor for during the holiday season include people with a “bah humbug” attitude towards the holiday season. They could just be sad and display their Grinch-like attitude as a coping mechanism. Folks may also isolate themselves because they would rather not be around all the “joy and cheer” when they only want to cry.
To help residents eliminate the holiday blues, we spend more time talking to them. Listening to stories about someone they’ve lost can help bring up fond memories and help reduce some of their holiday blues. We give them the time to remember and mourn while letting them know we care about them.
Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in older adults during the holiday season. We encourage residents to join others for meals or other social activities. Being around other people and engaging in conversation will help reduce loneliness.
We encourage new traditions within the community by understanding the culture and background of the population. We serve and research to ensure the traditions they know are celebrated and enjoyed by others.
The holiday season means different things to each of us. The holidays are about family, friends, food, and tradition. For many, the smells, tastes, and decorations bring memories flooding back. We hope some of these ideas will help you as the holidays approach.
Saint Charles, Missouri-based Arrow Senior Living manages a portfolio of communities that offer varying levels of care, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Each and every senior living community supports residents by focusing on dignity, respect, and quality of life. The programs and amenities offered are selected to provide only the highest standard of quality and comfort.
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