“It’s usually the case that families get together, so those folks usually aren’t as high risk. The folks you have to be concerned about are those who may not have family, have outlived their family and friends, and thus, the holidays can be a tough time,” said Doug McGarry, the executive director of the Dayton Area Agency on Aging.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared that the U.S. is in the midst of an “epidemic of loneliness.” Social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of suicidality and self-harm, the Centers for Disease Control says.
Social isolation can also increase risks of getting dementia by 50%, heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32%, CDC says.
More than one in three adults aged 45 and older feel lonely in the U.S., and nearly one in four adults aged 65 and older are socially isolated, according to the CDC.
Getting in the Christmas spirit, such as putting up some holiday decorations and finding ways to remember happy memories, can help boost their mood, McGarry said.
“Bringing out some of those Christmas memories can allow you to remember the good times,” McGarry said.
If there are older adults living alone in the community, neighbors can make small gestures like stopping by for a quick visit, planning a dinner together or dropping off some Christmas cookies.
The gestures don’t have to be big, McGarry said.
“It’s not the big things. It’s really the little things that matter the most,” McGarry said.
If adults live apart from other members of their families, they could connect virtually, such as through Zoom, and instantly close the gaps of miles of distance between them.
The Miami Valley Warmline, which is a partnership between Montgomery County ADAMHS and Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley, can be another place for people to turn to if they want to hear a friendly voice. The phone number is 937-528-7777 and operates Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For older adults who may be living with dementia, the holidays can be a potential disruption to their daily routines, which can cause stress.
“Routine is very important to them, and so what tends to be problematic for people in any stages of the disease is change in schedule or routine, which tends to happen a lot during the holidays,” said Dayna Ritchey, program director for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Cincinnati and Miami Valley Chapters.
If the person with dementia starts experiencing a lot of frustration, it could be from a disruption in their normal schedule, Ritchey said.
Even putting up too many decorations can be stressful for people with dementia, such as if it gets in the way of where they normally spend their time. Too many family members visiting at the same time can also be a stressor, so smaller groups spread out are encouraged.
“Little things like that can cause a lot of confusion or agitation,” Ritchey said.
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends trying to stick as closely to the person’s routine as possible, making sure they still eat the same types of food they normally eat and at the same time that they normally eat. Sticking to their normal activities as much as possible, as well as when they wake up and go to bed, are also things that can be done.
“Trying to keep their world as as close to their daily, normal can be really helpful,” Ritchey said.
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