The unfolding of the holidays can cause many senior adults to feel progressively disappointed, stressed, and sad. Oftentimes older adults fill several important roles during the holidays: guardians of family traditions, coordinators of family members and holiday plans, and hosts of holiday celebrations, among others. Less able seniors may have anticipated gatherings with family and friends with great excitement.

During the holidays, older adults may be fatigued from traveling or from hosting family gatherings or shopping. They may not follow their familiar schedule during this time, which also contributes to melancholy. Additional issues that cause stress include financial pressures from holiday purchases, reminders of past losses of significant loved ones, sadness over the contrast between “then and now”, or coping with failing health.

As the holiday decorations come down many adults experience an emotional “let down.” Seniors, who often guard their emotions, may not reveal if they’re suffering from the post-holiday blues. It’s extra important for adult children and caregivers to understand their senior loved one and watch for signs of seasonal depression. Older people with mental health problems or those with significant physical health problems face the highest risk.

Depressed senior loved ones may become more anxious, more irritable, less joyful or quieter than they once were. They may seem focused on talking about people who have died, or have lost interest in things that they used to enjoy – including holiday traditions and festivities. They may not make calls, or answer or return phone calls. They could even ignore bill paying.

One of the best ways to help a saddened senior loved one is to get him or her out of the house and interacting with others to alleviate feelings of sadness and isolation. Start with something simple, like a weekly visit to the senior’s home. On warmer winter days, taking a senior to lunch or walking through a book store can be enough to help lift the fog. If the senior is mobile, consider giving a gift to the local YMCA or a gym that caters to older adults; in addition to the physical health benefits, exercise provides endorphins that lift the spirits. In more severe cases of depression, it may be best to accompany the older adult to a visit to a mental health professional.

The bottom line is that families need to keep their eyes and ears open for signs of depression in older relatives, especially at the holidays when they have a chance to get together and spend some time. And if someone seems to need help, don't be afraid to speak up and reach out.

Submitted by Lynne S. Katzmann, CEO and Founder of Juniper Communities that owns and operates
Juniper Village Assisted Living and Wellspring Memory Care communities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Colorado and Florida. www.junipercommunities.com (973) 661-8300.