Banish the Holiday Blues

Sleigh bells are ringing and Christmas carols are floating through the air, but that doesn’t mean that everyone is filled with the holiday spirit. In fact, you might find that many of your residents become depressed or blue when the holidays roll around. What causes the holiday blues and what can you do to banish them from your facility?

Getting to the bottom of “Bah humbug!”  
Think about your fondest childhood holiday memories. For many of us, they revolve around time spent with family and friends. As we grow older, family and friends move away or might no longer be with us. This can lead older adults to think about how quickly time has passed or become sad at the prospect of celebrating the holidays without loved ones. Health problems and concerns about money can also make it difficult to find joy in the holiday season.1

How can you help the residents at your facility have a jolly holiday?

Remember the past, but don’t live in it 
Many residents might hold on to what they remember as ideal holiday celebrations from their youth and become upset when they are unable to recreate them. The good news is that there are no “rules” about what makes for a good holiday celebration.

Invite residents to share their fondest holiday memories. What did they eat for Christmas dinner as a child? What was their favorite present from Santa? Recalling these memories should bring a smile to residents’ faces.

After they are finished recalling special Christmases past, gently remind the resident that while Christmas might be different now, the facility is dedicated to making sure they enjoy the holiday season and make lots of new memories.

Be a good listener 
When you notice that residents seem down, encourage them to talk about how they’re feeling. Acknowledge that they might be having “difficult” feelings, such as a sense of loss if their family members or friends have died or moved away. Remind the resident that there’s nothing wrong with not feeling jolly and that a lot of people get the blues during the holiday season.

The truth is, the holidays aren’t a magic wand. No matter how many get-togethers residents attend or gifts they unwrap, the holidays won’t automatically zap away worries, loneliness, sadness, frustration, anger or fear. This can be easy to forget when strains of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” are filling the air.

Lend a helping hand
The holidays can be overwhelming even for people who are in great health and have an easy time getting around. Many elderly people will have a difficult time performing holiday rituals such as shopping or sending Christmas cards. Could your facility organize a special shopping trip at a time when the stores are less likely to be crowded or offer to help address Christmas cards for residents who have a tough time gripping a pen?

Help create low-cost gifts 
Many senior citizens are on tight or fixed budgets. For these people, giving gifts during the holidays can be a source of anxiety. You can help ease these worries by hosting gift-making sessions during your arts and crafts time. One simple and inexpensive project is creating note card sets using paper and rubber stamps. Staff members can cut and fold heavy paper into the desired note card size and then residents can personalize the cards using a variety of stickers or rubber stamps and different colors of ink pads. Encourage residents to “autograph” the back of the cards. Simply tie a ribbon around the cards to make them ready for giving.

Residents who knit or crochet might also enjoy showing other residents how to make simple gifts such as bookmarks. Inexpensive yarn for these crafts is readily available at hobby stores.

_{Share the sights of the season} 
Most towns are brightly lit with lights during the holiday season, but residents might not get a chance to enjoy them. Consider hosting an evening tour of the town in your facility’s van and slowly cruising past brightly lit homes and businesses. When you return to the facility, gather together for cocoa or spiced cider and discuss your favorite light displays.

Another idea that will both make your facility most festive and lift resident spirits is to have a holiday decorating contest. Residents of each hallway can team up with staff members to “deck the halls,” and then residents can vote for their favorite hallway. The team that decorates the winning hallway could receive a holiday pizza or ice cream party.

Holiday blues or depression?
How can you tell the difference between fleeting holiday blues and full-fledged depression? According to the National Institute for Mental Health, it’s important to watch for the following symptoms of depression1:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
• Irritability or restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once pleasurable
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness or excessive sleeping
• Overeating or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that don’t ease even with treatment

If you suspect that residents are depressed rather than suffering from a case of the holiday blues, encourage them to talk to a staff member or social worker. Depression is very treatable and nothing to be ashamed of.

Reference
1 National Institute of Mental Health. What are the signs and symptoms of depression? Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-depression.shtml. Accessed December 10, 2014.