The holidays are a time for family, friends, food, and fun. Yet, for many elderly, the holiday season can be a lonely and challenging time. Understanding what the senior population is going through can help us care better for them. Here we offer a guide to the top problems seniors face and the best ways to help them. Together we can keep our seniors Merry and Bright this Christmas.
The Difficulties of the Holidays:
Routine change
One of the difficulties of the holiday season for seniors is the change in routine. With a routine, seniors feel safe, it reduces their anxieties, and helps them feel better. But a drastic change in routine can lead to anxiousness and loneliness. It is something seniors dread and cannot seem to cope with.
Cold and pain
As we age we have a decrease in fat, our skin thins, we have a natural decrease in metabolic rate, and slower circulation all of which means most seniors are unable to generate enough heat to maintain the average body temperature of 98.6 degrees. In addition, there is an increase in medical conditions and medications that can exacerbate this. This means the winter months can be some of the most painful and uncomfortable days for seniors.
Traveling and other physical challenges
The holidays are filled with all sorts of lovely things; family, friends, food, parties, bright decorations, and fun presents. Yet it is also filled with challenges for seniors that most of us don’t face and sometimes forget to consider. A short drive, getting in and out of the car, a walk-up icy or even regular steps, and even something as simple as sitting in a harder or softer chair for an extended period can become a huge physical challenge to the elderly.
Being lonely
Imagine you watch everyone you have spent your life with wither away. This is the reality many seniors are facing. The longer they live the more grief they know. Over time they watch their parents, friends, significant others, and in the worst of cases, children pass away. We all know that grief often feels compounded during the holidays but the longer they live the more grief there is to be produced.
A deep longing for the past
The loss we discussed above can create a profound and abiding longing for what was. Even past the point of nostalgia, the deep yearning pang seniors often experience at this time can feel past emotional too sometimes manifesting physically. Often this time of year contains many reminders of past joys that make it particularly hard to ignore the feeling of deep longing for the past.
How can We Help?
A change in routine
It is important that if you have a senior who you want to be included in your festivities you plan around their routine as best you can. Try to come to them if possible. When you are picking them up and dropping them off try to stay within a time that they would normally be awake. Schedule a time with a physician to do a house call, telemedicine visit, or arrange for another medical professional to come for a home health aide visit to arrange any medications, special dietary needs, or other medical equipment such as oxygen tanks to be ready and checked twice with possible back up. Remind your senior that any discomfort is temporary and try to keep them in a positive mindset about the changes.
Dealing with cold and pain
If you are taking your senior out of the house be sure to bring plenty of extra blankets and dress them warmly. Try additions such as a hot water bottle, hand warmers, picking them up with a second person who can keep the car warm, and having a space heater and warm beverages at home to keep a warmer area ready for them. It is best to dress in layers so your seniors can adjust to the temperature to their liking. It is important to make them feel comfortable and help them deal with the cold winters and changing temperatures.
With traveling
When it comes to traveling the most important thing you can do to help your senior is being aware of the problems like a short drive, getting in and out of the car, a walk-up icy or even regular steps, and even something as simple as sitting in a harder or softer chair for an extended period can become for them. The best option is to see if your home health offers transportation and arrange it with them ahead of time. Home health professionals are experts at mitigating discomfort and preventing disaster.
Dealing with loneliness
Being lonely is hard for anyone but it is especially hard for those who have suffered losses. It can be uncomfortable to watch others in pain and our first instinct is often to change the subject to happier subjects. This, however, can increase the feeling of being alone. Take the time to ask them about the people they are missing the most. Try to move the conversation to happier memories, bring out pictures, share your memories, ask questions, and get them talking about memories of people who are still surrounding them. Allowing them this time to reminisce can have a positive effect on their mental well-being and their health. The holidays can be very busy so if you find yourself desperately wanting to give your loved one this time but unable to, make a call to your home health aide to sit and reminisce with them and help them be a little less lonely.
A deep longing for the past
Be aware of any seasonal changes in your loved ones' life. If the holidays are creating a particularly challenging time or if their emotional agitation is showing through physical symptoms, contact your home health provider to set up a house call. The best way to help them when the longing gets too deep is to let them know it is not wrong, out of the ordinary, or selfish for focusing on the past instead of the present. Remind them that the reason for this deep longing is a lifetime of wonderful memories. Plan with them how you can make more memories together.
Wrapping up
The holidays should be a happy time with your loved ones. Keeping your elderly loved ones happy and healthy is a wonderful way to make their days merry and filled with festive moods, and holiday cheer. We hope your season allows you to relive happy memories, make new ones, and will bring you all closer together. Happy Holidays!
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