Holiday Stress Management Tips for Seniors

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The holidays are usually a happy season full of celebrations and time spent with loved ones, but there can be a complicated relationship between seniors and the holidays for a number of reasons. The holidays bring many stressors that can particularly affect older adults, such as reminders of those who may not be with them anymore, which may lead to depression. These can even lead to depression around the holidays for seniors. In this article, we’ll provide some holiday stress management tips for seniors and those caring for them.

Tips to Help Seniors with Holiday Stress and Depression 

  • Communicate and Plan Ahead – The first steps to help manage holiday stress for seniors are to communicate and plan ahead. Think about everything your holiday celebrations will involve and make sure that they will include everyone who attends. Sometimes seniors feel left out because they aren’t included in certain activities, so ensure there is plenty of communication beforehand so everyone comes in with the right expectations.

Communicating before planning will also allow you to request or include specific activities in your celebration. Seniors can also plan ahead and make sure they have everything they need in order to enjoy themselves and the time they are spending with loved ones.

  • Be Open to Change – Even after communicating and planning ahead, being open to change is crucial to help with stress for seniors around the holidays. When people gather together, things don’t always go according to plan, so come in with the mindset that doing something different is okay, especially if everyone is still having fun.

There are often many meaningful traditions and rituals that families and friends have, and those can be hard to let go of. It’s important to try to include the most important ones in your celebration, but being open to alternate options could lead to fun, bonding, and even new traditions. This also involves changing your plan if not everyone feels included.

  • Get Active – One of the best ways to deal with stress is to get active. Physical activity has many benefits for our bodies, but it can significantly help to boost our energy and mood. That’s why it’s vital to get—or stay—active around the holidays. Help seniors to get active by planning outings where they can get some exercise, like walking around a holiday market, doing family yoga, taking workout classes together, and more.
  • Celebrate Everything – The holidays are a time for celebration but are often difficult for seniors because they remind them of loved ones they’ve lost. That’s why it’s important to celebrate those individuals and not try to avoid those emotions. Be honest and open with your family or friends so everyone feels comfortable sharing, grieving, and celebrating together. Understand that your loved ones are there to support you and help you honor the people you miss.

At Celebrate Senior Living, we are committed to celebrating the moments, victories, and memories that will last a lifetime for our residents and their loved ones. 

We are a Midwest-based foundation that serves Illinois and Indiana with a variety of medical, social, and personal care services in comfortable long-term residential environments, including memory care, rehabilitation, and short-term stay options. 

Explore one of our three senior living and retirement communities and select the location that fits your individual health, behavioral, and social needs.

If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about our homes be sure to contact us at Celebrate Senior Living.

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Doreen Triber
Doreen Triber
A friend of mine found Celebrate Senior Living for me after touring multiple Independent Living facilities. I eventually transitioned to Skilled Nursing here at Celebrate and I like that I didn't have to leave this community. I've been in skilled nursing for about 5 years now. Since I cannot walk, they have helped me with a lot. The nurses are great! They are truly wonderful! I am currently doing therapy 3 times a week and they are wonderful and nice to work with. I really enjoy the chef's salad and the best part is that you can order it for any meal. I've found my best friend here, Beth! We spend every afternoon together catching up in the parlor.
Vanessa Leon
Vanessa Leon
Had the pleasure of attending the Easter event! My family and I had a great time despite the weather. My daughter really enjoyed the live bunnies, they were too cute! 🐰 They had all sorts of treats and yummy hot chocolate! Definitely attending again next year!
Monica Moran
Monica Moran
Visited this facility during their annual easter event and it was a great experience! We loved that the easter bunny made an appearance as well to take family photos! They even brought real bunnies and the kids were able to pet them. Super cute! Great place to have an Easter egg hunt, it was super spacious. The facility was nice and everyone there was super friendly ☺️
Hilda Chavez
Hilda Chavez
We had the pleasure of attending their annual Easter Egg Hunt and we had such a good time, despite the terrible weather! My kids definitely enjoyed hunting for eggs, especially the Golden ones. They had a variety of treats and hot drinks and everyone was so welcoming, from the residents to the staff. They also had an Easter Bunny so the little ones were able to get some pictures with the Easter Bunny. I highly recommend everyone to attend next year! Overall, we had a great time and looking forward to next year’s Easter Egg Hunt.
fabian robledo
fabian robledo
Had a chance to visit this facility during their annual easter event, and all the staff were amazing! The facility is very well maintained and clean. They had snacks and drinks for everyone to enjoy and also an easter egg hunt for the kids! The easter bunny made an appearance as well to take family photos! Great place to be and an even greater time spent!
mat kanno
mat kanno
Therapy and rehab on my hip and back have been going great. The therapists I have are very knowledgeable and caring and although it will take me a few months for me to feel much better, the progress I’m making with them has been extremely helpful.
Cecelia Albregts
Cecelia Albregts
All the therapists in this facility have been very encouraging and supportive on my journey to assisted living. They opened a whole new world of possibilities, challenges, and goals which I thought I could never achieve, but I did and much more than I could ever expect. When I was learning to climb stairs, the therapist taught me techniques to do so, I trusted the therapist and said, "let's do it!" That's been my mantra ever since. Now, I can climb a while flight of stairs. Through the exercises, I'm getting stronger! Assisted living has become a reality for me only because of my therapist's hard work and faith in me. May God reward all of you for all you have done for me and continue to do for me.
Valeriy Sagalovich
Valeriy Sagalovich
I have been living in this house since February 2022. My apartment fully meets all my needs. The food prepared for residents is very diverse and tasty. The cooks and waiters are polite, patient and friendly. All staff, from directors to maintenances and cleaners is very professional, attentive and caring. I can confidently recommend this house for comfortable stay to every person.
Kathleen Madej
Kathleen Madej
So many people who work there show the utmost compassion and caring for my father who is a resident there - if I have questions they look to find the answers- if I have needs they look to fulfill them- I feel like it is family every time I go there -

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