Embracing the Holiday Season: Finding Joy and Connection Amidst the Blues with Hudson Grande Senior Living

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 Hudson Grande Senior Living, 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:

• financial stress
• inability to be with loved ones
• loss of loved ones
• stress

The signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor for during the holiday season. Including not wanting to participate in fun events, difficulty sleeping, sadness, and loneliness.

To help residents eliminate the holiday blues, we keep them busy with events, include familiar traditions, and spend some extra time with them listening and reminiscing about Christmases past. Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in older adults during the holiday season. To help combat that, we start conversations, share meals, and share our time.

New and fulfilling traditions are encouraged within our community by having active family engagement from residents and employees to build relationships, which can lead to yearly community traditions.

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.