The Wildwood Senior Living 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 overwhelmed by visitors, increase in extra expenses, missing your loved ones that may have passed, and lack of time. Signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor during the holiday season include increased anxiety, sadness, or becoming withdrawn.

We can help our residents to help eliminate the holiday blues by talking to them, asking if they need anything, and providing services to allow them to shop for their loved ones,

Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in the elderly during the holiday season. It is important that we encourage residents to attend our daily events and ask residents about their family traditions.

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 The Wildwood Senior Living hope some of these ideas will be helpful as the holidays approach.