How To Brighten The Holiday Spirits Of Seniors

Most people welcome the holiday season as a wonderful time of the year. It’s when families and friends gather to shop, bake, decorate and enjoy all the other things that make the holidays festive. Unfortunately, not everyone looks forward to the holidays with the same spirit of joy and anxious anticipation. For a large segment of the senior population and especially those who live alone, the holiday season can be an exceptionally difficult period in their lives.
Aging family members, friends and neighbors often struggle during the holidays. Negative feelings they may have typically amplify during this time of the year, so it’s important for those who care about them to understand the reasons why and moreover, how to help them stay more upbeat and positive.
Problems that accompany aging fuel the depression that many seniors feel during the holidays. Some are dealing with the loss of a spouse. Others battle the social isolation they feel when family members or friends move away. Some seniors are in rehab or nursing facilities and feel despondent about being away from their home and the place where their happiest holiday memories happened. Whatever the reasons, their feelings of sadness are real.
Providing seniors with the practical support and emotional uplift they need during the holiday season can take many forms. Here are some thoughtful suggestions on how you can help elevate the spirits of the seniors in your life:
1. Offer to lend a hand.
Many seniors are no longer able to perform some of the activities that accompany the holiday season. Health, mobility, and vision problems can make doing even the simplest things such as putting up a tree, decorating rooms, or baking cookies an unbearable struggle. Offer to become the helping hand they need so they can do the things that can make their holidays special again.

2. Have honest conversations and be a good listener.
Seniors that struggle with negative feelings during the holidays are usually too proud to admit it to family or friends. They try to keep their feelings private so as not to burden anyone. This is why it’s important to engage them in the holiday discussions and most importantly, be a good listener so you can read between the lines when they speak.

3. Encourage senior participation in holiday activities.
Seniors often feel left out when the holiday season comes around, especially those who no longer live independently. Reach out and make them feel they are important to your holiday celebrations. Take them for a drive around your neighborhood or community to see the lighting and decoration displays. Invite them to join you for a holiday show at a local theater and take them out shopping with you whenever possible. Create photo opportunities of your times together so they can share these memorable moments with all their family and friends.

4. Eliminate financial burdens.
Finances can be stretched during the holidays and for seniors living on fixed incomes, the stress can often be overwhelming. For seniors living on a tight budget, letting them know the only present anyone wants from them is their presence during the holidays. For seniors who insist on giving gifts but can’t really afford to buy any, offer them smart alternatives to expensive purchases. Suggest a Secret Santa drawing among family members. Let them know what you would value most could be family photos in an album, a forgotten heirloom stored away or a personalized craft item they enjoy making. Inexpensive or no cost gift ideas that you give them will relieve their financial worries and enable them to participate in the gift exchange experience.

5. Help seniors connect with family and friends.
The holiday season is all about celebrating the joys of togetherness, reminiscing about good times in the past and enjoying the happy moments that are happening now. If family members or friends have moved away, consider planning and staging a virtual get-together to enable your loved one to connect with those who are special in their lives. If your senior has friends locally that they have been unable to see for whatever reason, invite them to join in your holiday celebrations so that everyone who matters in their life can be present. It can elevate the spirits of your loved ones in ways that bring true happiness to their life.
Finally, give your elder loved ones what they want the most for the holidays. Give them your time. Call and visit them earlier and more often during the season. Remind them in your own words how important they are in your life, especially during this wonderful holiday season. Spending money on presents for an elder loved one may be wonderful, but spending your time with them is divine.