Elders can have an especially hard time with the holiday season. There are certain losses that can hinder even the healthiest people, including illness and death among other aging relatives and friends.

1. Tips for Reducing Loneliness In Seniors
During the Holidays

2. The holidays are times for family, friends and food. Time-honored
traditions of gathering with loved ones and sharing in the holiday spirit
are things to look forward to, but for some, there can be isolation.

3. Elders can have an especially hard time with the holiday season. There
are certain losses that can hinder even the healthiest people, including
illness and death among other aging relatives and friends. The holidays
can bring this loneliness to the light.

4. For family members and even caregivers, there is hope for our elders.
Here are a few ways to cheer elders up for the holidays, according to
agingcare.com:

5. Listen and understand when they want to talk, even if the talk is
negative. Putting yourself in their shoes is important.

6. Remind them how important they are as a part of your own
celebration and that of the entire family. They may feel like they don’t
matter around the rest of the family. Make sure to show them they are
loved with your words and actions.

7. Holiday cards often bring bad news and diminish in quantity. Elders
receive plenty of holiday cards, but they can sometimes bring news of
illness or death. It’s vital to keep up this connection with lifelong
friends.

8. Help them see that you are trying to simplify the holidays in order
to bring back the real meaning of our celebrations. Stress the
importance of people and connections, not the material items. Thank
them for teaching you the proper values and morals of the holidays.

9. If your parent is in an assisted living facility or nursing home, check
with local kindergarten or day care centers to see if they can bring
children to visit the elders. The beaming energy of a child can help an
elder forget about his or her physical or emotional pain.

10. Bring traditional baked goods or treats regularly for your elders
and their friends to share.

11. Call your elders’ friends and invite them to the party.
Spend time with them. This is by far the most essential thing you can
do. Look at holiday photos or videos with them, and leave photos with
them so they can enjoy them when you are gone. Listen to holiday
music. Enjoy their stories of past holidays and the “good old days.”

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