December 9, 2022
For many the holiday season is a joyful, happy time built around togetherness, family, and friends, but 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. Celebrating this time of year doesn’t have to be a sad or overwhelming time. It can be a peaceful time of reminiscing, volunteering, spending time with friends, and creating new traditions!
The weather turning colder and the days getting darker earlier is a very common cause of depression. Some people get anxious in bigger gatherings and can get stressed out thinking they are not participating enough with the holiday preparations. Some signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress to look out for would be fatigue, sleeping more than usual, having a poor appetite, being sad, or feeling worthless. Some people become irritable or agitated easily.
We can help our residents eliminate the holiday blues by sitting down and talking with them and showing that we care about them, and their feelings are important. If they engage with other residents and do events, this will help relieve some of the blues as well.
Encouraging residents to join an exercise class with others or involving them in an activity or hobby they enjoy can help ease the loneliness they may feel. Encouraging family and friends to visit the resident would also be helpful. Involving the residents and staff in starting new traditions together will make them proud they were involved in something great!
The holiday season means different things to each of us. The holidays are about family, friends, food, and tradition. For many, the smells, taste, and decorations bring memories flooding back. We at The Boulevard Senior Living – Wentzville hope some of these ideas will be helpful as the holidays approach.
The Boulevard Senior Living of Wentzville in Wentzville, MO offers independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near SSM Lake St. Louis Hospital with convenient access to major shopping centers, including Bear Creek Golf Club, Wentzville Bluffs Shopping Center, Wentzville B&B Movie Theater, Quail Ridge Park, Wentzville Flea Market, and The Meadows at Lake St. Louis.
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