December 1, 2023
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 Vitalia Montrose, 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!
The signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor for during the holiday season include withdrawal from family, not enjoying the things they used to, excess sleeping, excess crying, and poor appetite.
To help residents eliminate the holiday blues, we have them share their traditions and encourage them to participate in decorating and all the Arrow traditions. Staff also checks on them more often to see how they are doing. Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in older adults during the holiday season. To help combat that, we encourage them to participate in programs and set time aside to meet with the residents who only get a few family visitors.
New and fulfilling traditions are encouraged within our community. For example, in our community, we have a substantial Greek population, and we could have a tradition that involves the Greek Orthodox Church they all attended. It would be more personal for the residents.
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 be helpful as the holidays approach.
VITALIA® Montrose in Copley, OH 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 Cleveland Clinic with convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Mud Run Golf Course and Driving Range, Summit Mall, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Summit County Metro Park, Stan Hywet, and Hale Farm.
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