4 ways to combat holiday loneliness in seniors
The holidays can often feel like a lonely and isolating time for seniors. With the pandemic limiting our normal interactions and traditions, this year will require some creativity to make the holidays feel less lonely for our senior friends and family.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says:
“Although it’s hard to measure social isolation and loneliness precisely, there is strong evidence that many adults aged 50 and older are socially isolated or lonely in ways that put their health at risk.” Some of these risks include increased risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, depression and anxiety.
This makes it increasingly important to make it a priority as much as possible to help senior friends and relatives stay connected. It’s important to plan ways to be there without being there to make the holidays more special and bring a little holiday spirit to those who need the cheer most.
How to support seniors during holiday season
Video calls and connection
Some seniors have adapted to using screens for connection, especially those with caregivers to help them. For others, the frustration caused by using devices to connect to family has been a challenge.
When planning a video call with a senior relative, there are different ways to help them join remotely. There is also a program called Papa Pals which provides assistance from a distance for technology help and even companionship. This can help teach your loved one the skills to more easily engage in video calls.
A guide from Senior Planet can be a helpful starting point to help seniors hone their online skills. There are many helpful tips to connect to family virtually in an easy and hopefully frustration-free way.
The AARP Foundation offers Connect2Affect to provide tools for seniors to overcome social isolation. They offer a survey and share meaningful tools and techniques based on the responses. Some of their technology-related recommendations include:
Let someone know you’re thinking of them by inviting them to connect virtually
Call someone you won’t see in person and schedule a time to chat during the holiday’s big moment or special tradition
Use video chat apps
If your family will be doing a virtual celebration, make sure everything is planned ahead of time so everyone has something to look forward to.
Keep traditions or create new ones
The thought of forgoing holiday traditions can make spending the holidays feel so different this year. Trying to keep traditions in a safe way may take a great deal of creativity and planning, but if it’s possible to share them with a loved one, it could make all the difference.
If the family tradition revolves around food (as so many of them do!) then one way to partake in this tradition is to schedule a video call and make it together. Or if it’s possible for one member to make it and deliver it in a safe way everyone could experience it separately, but together.
Whatever the holiday tradition, with modern technology and a little creativity, there is likely some way to integrate it into the holidays this year. Even though it won’t be the same, sprinkling in connection even in a small way can make the holidays feel special.
Perhaps this is the year to start some new traditions. Even just having a family chat or brainstorm to enact a new tradition could be a source of connection.
Cards, pictures and gifts
The nostalgia of receiving a letter with updated pictures is sure to bring a smile to a senior friend or relative. Taking the time to write a heartfelt letter and printing some new family photos can make seniors feel less lonely by receiving a reminder that not only is someone thinking about them but that they also have a family who loves and cherishes them enough to send something so meaningful.
When picking out a gift for a loved one who may be feeling lonely, consider whether a personalized item with family pictures may bring them joy. These days, it’s possible to personalize almost anything like mugs, pillows, blankets and phone cases, to name a few.
Because many seniors have a lot of time on their hands these days, sending a gift with a hobby or something to learn may help alleviate some of the loneliness. A new hobby could enable them to fill their time with a fun and meaningful activity.
Check in and really listen
Probably one of the most important ways to be there for seniors during this time is to check in on them as frequently as possible. When checking in, hear what they have to say and validate their feelings. This is an extremely hard time for so many people, and just having someone to say, “I hear you, and I’m so sorry” and reminding them how important they are to the family can feel like a hug.
It may be helpful to ask directly what can be done to help or make this time easier. It could be surprising how just asking that question could lead to being able to provide what they need most during this strange time.
If at any point in the conversation, if your senior relative exhibits signs of anxiety or depression, reach out to their caretaker if they have one or seek out help from local resources. The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging has resources and numbers to call for help.
Although the pandemic will prevent many families from physically celebrating together, finding ways to connect virtually and emotionally is a way to make the holidays still feel special and less lonely.