Christmas time is fast approaching, and you can practically smell the eggnog and hear the choirs singing Christmas carols! It is a time for gifts, laughter, and a whole lot of love.
While the festive season should be a happy time for all, there are many people who tend to feel isolated and disconnected this time of the year. Elders in particular tend to have a hard time with the holiday season, as they are in a time of their life where they have lived through considerable loss as well as physical and mental deterioration.
The best gift you could hope to give to the seniors in your life is not a new iPhone or an article of fashionable clothing—rather, it is a portion of your time that is the most valuable gift of all.
An Empathetic Approach
The disconnection that most elders feel often comes with the pain of feeling like no one understands them, and that they do not matter. Try to empathize with the elders in your life rather than turning a blind eye to their struggle.
Sometimes, all they need is a listening ear. The holidays may bring about the urge to air out memories, both happy and unhappy, and it can be enough to just sit and listen.
It’s important to do whatever one can to ensure that they do not feel like a burden, but rather an important part of the family or the community.
Keeping the Loneliness at Bay
The isolation that elders feel around Christmas time can weigh heavy on the mind, and contribute to their deteriorating emotional well-being. It’s important to take measures to help keep that loneliness at bay.
If an elderly loved one is living at a nursing home or assisted living facility, a visit would not go unappreciated. Take the kids along and indulge in some Christmas festivities—grandchildren can be the light of their grandparent’s life!
This could be done by carving out time to spend with them, or encouraging them to spend time with their friends. At a senior living center, the community can come together for Christmas festivities arranged by the staff!
There are many assisted living communities that work to provide elders with a friendly environment that encourages socialization and group activities. When Christmas time rolls around, you want to make sure that these seniors are well-taken care of and given the due attention that they deserve—everyone deserves a happy, fulfilling Christmas, wouldn’t you say?
At Patriot Senior Care, we help you find yourself or your loved one the right fit when it comes to memory assisted living.
Our senior living advisors assist you in the process from the very first step all the way to helping adjust in the new home and new lifestyle.
Give us a call at and we can get started on looking for a senior care living center that can meet all your needs!
