"All You Need is Love"

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?” ~Dr euss

The Christmas holiday season for most people is a time of joy to be cherished among family and friends. But there are some people who find the holidays more stressful due to the loss of a loved one, loss of independence, or even loss of physical and/or mental health. Senior citizens often fall into this category, many of which feel isolated and alone from the loss of a spouse. Researchers indicate that seasonal loneliness has a greater impact on our aging health than is often understood. Loneliness, especially around the holidays, can cause or worsen feelings of depression, reduce cognitive functionality and even impair mobility.

Most seniors can avoid such negative spiral of events by following a few strategies to lift their spirits during the holidays. For example, seniors may find it beneficial to acknowledge their losses and talk about the memories with family members or friends. For those seniors who do not have family and friends close by, another idea to memorialize a love one is to organize old photos or put up a special ornament for remembrance.

Working on crafts and hobbies, reading a good book, or listening to music are some ways to fill the void of being alone. Seniors who participate in activities either inside or outside the home will most likely notice an improvement in their mental health. If seniors focus on something positive, it is difficult for the sadness associated with being alone to dominate their thought processes.

Since the holiday season is a time for togetherness, you might consider giving a gift of time. Seniors who are alone often accept a visit from a kind stranger. The local nursing homes are full of aging adults without family nearby. What a wonderful surprise it might be if a young person takes the time to reach out to an elder this year, and like the Grinch says, give a gift that means a little bit more.