Vitalia Active Adult Community – Rockside Prepares for Possible Holiday Blues

For many the holiday season is a joyful, happy time built around togetherness, family, and friends, but 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. Celebrating this time of year doesn’t have to be a sad or overwhelming time. It can be a peaceful time of reminiscing, volunteering, spending time with friends, and creating new traditions!

Some common causes of depression during the holiday season are being reminded of loved ones passing, challenging family dynamics at family gatherings, and preparation stress. Signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor for during the holiday season include acting withdrawn from normal activity, stating feeling depressed, uncommon behavior, and acting out.

We can help eliminate the holiday blues for our residents by engaging in more conversation and helping them talk about special holiday times they remember. Keep them active and involved with activities. Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in the elderly during the holiday season. It is important that we take the time to visit them and share some quality time.

Encouraging new and fulfilling traditions, like getting residents involved in storytelling would be beneficial. The stories could be recorded, then dictated into a memory book for sharing with other residents and family members.

The holiday season means different things to each of us. The holidays are about family, friends, food, and tradition. For many, the smells, taste, and decorations bring memories flooding back. We at Vitalia Active Adult Community – Rockside hope some of these ideas will be helpful as the holidays approach.