How to Help Seniors Dealing With Depression During the Holidays

For many seniors, the words “Blue Christmas” are more than just a song title; they describe how they feel as another holiday season comes upon them.

Memories of Thanksgiving dinners with the whole family, wrapping gifts for the kids on Christmas Eve, and celebrating New Year’s Eve with friends and family can be painful reminders of lost loved ones or family living far away.

Helping the senior in your life deal with depression during the holidays isn’t easy, but we’d like to give you a few practical tips to keep their spirits (and yours) up.

Helping Seniors Fight Depression During the Holidays

1. Get them participating

A depressed senior finds it difficult to join in the festivities when they’re feeling blue. They tend to withdraw when they’re around others or isolate themselves in a “safe place” in their home, which is typically the bedroom.

You can help them by asking and encouraging them to help out with family traditions like decorating the tree, baking holiday cookies, and watching favorite Christmas classics together.

2. Have an open conversation about the past

Even though it might be painful, Mom or Dad may very likely want to reminisce about the past. Offer to pull out family photo albums and home videos. You’ll want to have a box of Kleenex handy, but shedding a few tears is often therapeutic for seniors dealing with depression during the holidays.

3. Help them get engaged in their favorite hobbies

People love having a hobby for many reasons, but a big one is that it takes our minds off of things that are troubling us. A depressed senior can think themselves into a downward spiral very quickly. Encouraging them to do things that give them pleasure – reading, painting, listening to music, writing, baking, or something else they enjoy – will help them experience that feeling of fulfillment that is so important to an aging adult.

4. Get them out and about

If they have the mobility, take them for a walk around the block to see the neighbor’s holiday decorations. If walking is a challenge for them, take them for a drive to see one of the neighborhoods that put up all of the lights and decorations for people to drive by and enjoy. When you get home, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with them by the tree.

5. Build in breaks for them

An over-tired senior can begin feeling melancholy pretty quickly. Make sure your senior gets adequate rest during the hectic holiday season. Help them keep their regular schedule and routines.

6. Have them get some exercise

Many seniors stop doing the things that keep them healthy during the holidays, including exercising. Walking inside the warm mall or around the block for just 20 minutes every day will help keep their spirits up and help them have a better night’s sleep.

7. Take care of yourself

It’s hard to help someone fight the blues if you’re not feeling well yourself. Do your best not to overeat or over-indulge during the holidays, and make sure you get regular rest and exercise as well. You’ll enjoy the holidays more and can also be an inspiration to the senior in your life.

Respite Care can also provide you relief during the holidays and help you feel your best. If you live in Phoenix, Tucson, or Sun City, we can help. Our compassionate caregivers can provide your loved one with one-on-one attention and help out with medication reminders, diet-specific meal preparations, and more as you practice some well-deserved self-care.

Call us today. We would love to help your family have a holiday season filled with peace and joy.

By Krystal Wilkinson|2021-12-13T11:41:41-07:00December 13, 2021|Mental Health|Comments Off

About the Author: Krystal Wilkinson

Discovering our limitations is tough. My family knows firsthand. When my husband was diagnosed with cancer we experienced sadness, exhaustion and stress. My commitments to work and family stretched beyond my capability. As others joined beside me, we pulled together as a team. More important to my respite, my husband was able to thrive at home. This is vital as living at home empowers independence, recovers dignity and grants familiarity leading to a healthier life. Through my experience, I learned that home care in Arizona is different than in most of the country. Arizona permits the use of independent contractors and does not require criminal background clearance for caregivers. The lack of regulation in Arizona places citizens at risk. The more I have learned, the more I have become involved in protecting seniors and their families. This has led to Adultcare Assistance Homecare maintaining the highest standards for caregiver selection and training. My desire to protect Arizona seniors extends beyond my company with my appointment as the President of the Arizona Chapter of the Home Care Association of America.