By Laura Katauskas
Staff Reporter
With so many chorus of “It’s the most wonderful time of year,” being sung and memories of holidays past a constant reminder, for those feeling less than jolly, the current season can be sometimes painful.
An advocate for senior care, Anna Walters of Senior Star at Weber Place, reminds caregivers, relatives, friends and neighbors to be mindful of how this may affect seniors.
Walters stresses there are two different issues at play with seniors who may be experiencing holiday blues—loneliness and social isolation. While you may still be happy but have feelings of loneliness, those that are experiencing social isolation are increasing their mortality rate just as fast as those with obesity or those who smoke and can show cognitive decline quicker.
“Things continually start happening to them—becoming a widow; losing their ability to drive; functional loss; many outlive their friends—they can soon find themselves at a loss,” said Walters. “Meanwhile the weather, itself, is cold and gloomy and most of the time, the holidays have people reflect on the good times with family and friends—but now they are gone and despair sets in.”
Get connected, Walters emphasizes for those who may worry about loved ones, neighbors and friends. Simply getting involved with a regular phone call or visit is paramount. Set up a family phone tree, where one member of the family is calling grandma or grandpa each day or taking them out once a week. Knowing when each other are reaching out eliminates the mystery if your loved one is involved.
“Research shows that to feel connected, you must have two or more substantial quality relationships and that means staying in touch,” said Walters. “They also need a sense of purpose—someone needs to need them. School projects, family dinners—reach out and include them.”
She further concludes that finding inter-generational connections are important and offer further opportunities to fulfill a void that may exist.
If you are interested in volunteering at Senior Star at Weber Place or just want to come in and play a game or chat, visit Senior Star at 605 Edward Drive, Romeoville or call 815-556-2487.