Embracing the Holiday Season: Finding Joy and Connection Amidst the Blues with Vitalia Solon

For many, the holiday season is a joyful, happy time built around togetherness, family, and friends. Still, 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. 

At Vitalia Solon, we understand celebrating this time of year doesn’t have to be sad or overwhelming. 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:

• Losing a Loved One
• Not having Any Family
• A Lack of Finances
• Sickness or Failing Health
• Losing Valuable or Sentimental Items
  • Like their house or car, including independence.

The signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor for during the holiday season include poor appetite, disheveled appearance, being easily angered, emotional, withdrawal from other residents and staff, and actions not the norm for the resident.

To help residents eliminate the holiday blues, we engage in activities with them, encourage them to attend and join in the traditional celebrations, and mingle with them at mealtime during family-style dining. Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in older adults during the holiday season. To help combat that, we ask residents to sit down, look at family photos, and reminisce on their past.

Our community encourages new and fulfilling traditions by educating residents on the tradition and explaining the history with a presentation, flyers, and photos.

The holiday season means different things to each of us. The holidays are about family, friends, food, and tradition. For many, the smells, tastes, and decorations bring memories flooding back. We hope some of these ideas will help you as the holidays approach.