Loneliness During The Holiday Season
November 18, 2019
For many of us, the holiday season is a time filled with joy and cheer. The holidays mean time off from work to spend quality time with our loved ones, give and receive gifts and attend parties with friends and family.
Unfortunately, for many seniors, rather than happiness and joy, the holiday season can act as a reminder that a once bustling and vibrant home, is now silent and still. Remembering lost loved ones and happy times gone by can cause seniors to feel sad, lonely and isolated.
This holiday season; be mindful of elderly friends and family members:
- Feelings of loneliness are normal during the holidays. Rather than writing off an elderly’s feelings as wrong or irrational, be supportive and empathetic. The best gift you can give is taking the time to listen.
- Help them decorate their home, but remember to help them take the decorations down afterward.
- Involve them in the holiday preparations. Ask them for their favorite holiday recipe, take them out present shopping or ask for their help wrapping presents or making holiday bows.
- It really doesn’t matter what you do, but do something so they know that someone loves and cares about them…during the holiday season and all year long.
