Senior Holiday Stress

By Anna Hazard

While expectations are for everyone to have a "holly jolly x-mas" this time of year, such expectations -- and the stress that the frenzy of holiday activity bring with them -- can leave you and your loved ones feeling rather blue instead.
 
Here are a few tips and suggestions for managing the pressure of a hectic holiday.

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• Beat the Seasonal Blues - If, like clockwork, your loved one's mood takes a nosedive as the winter months creep in, they may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Light boxes and sun lamps, which mimic the effect of outdoor light, may help alleviate the symptoms. Talk to your family physician for more robust treatment options.
  

• The holidays can be a difficult time for the elderly as the absence of certain cards, gifts, or phone calls can be difficult reminder of the people they know who have passed or grown sickly. This is the time of year to catch up with others, but the new updates won't always be cheerful. Visits from family and friends or any other type of companionship are even more necessary to help with any holiday-connected loneliness.
  

• Before the spate of holiday visits begin, check ahead of time that all places on the agenda -- whether they be friends or families homes, shops & stores, or neighborhood light & decor viewing spots -- are properly accessible for your loved ones needs. That includes wheelchair and walker/cane compatibility or the presence of available seating for those who may need to take a few moments to re-catch their breath.
  

• Keep in mind the level of activity appropriate for your guests and loved ones who will be accompanying you. (12 hour shopping binges at the mall may need to be cut short, the walk through the neighborhood to view christmas lights may need to be switched to a drive instead, visits to surrounding neighbors and friends may need to be spread out for a proper recovery and breathing time)
  

• Elderly adults tend to be more active earlier in the day, so if your loved one isn't a night owl, you may wish to switch to holiday brunches instead of late holiday dinners and avail yourself of early morning doorbuster sales when it comes to holiday shopping.
  

• A Family That Eats Together Sticks Together - Holiday meals can act as an excellent group activity, not merely when it comes to dining together, but also when it comes to meal preparation. As time goes on, the preparation of a big meal can become more and more draining for mom, dad, or whoever traditionally provides the family dinner. Instead everyone can pitch in -- either when it comes to preparing/setting up/cleaning the meal at the house or having a potluck dinner instead.
  

• Outside of meal preparation, help can be provided with all the other traditional -- and stressful  -- holiday activities such as setting up all those intricate decorations, preparing to send out reams of cards, shopping for and then carefully wrapping gifts
  

• If you need a bit of help when it comes to activities and traveling with your loved ones, feel free to fall back upon professional help with trained caregivers.