After a festive season filled with pretty lights, family time, fun events, and holiday traditions, January can feel lackluster. The post-holiday blues affect both young and old alike, but elders are more vulnerable to holiday depression. They might end up feeling lonely, depressed, and just not up for any socializing.
Here are our top five tips to help keep your loved one’s mood buoyant.
Encourage Physical Activity
Just 30 minutes of basic cardio can help boost mood and energy levels. Exercise can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can be a significant factor in post-holiday blues. Walking outside, doing a simple home workout together, or dancing to a favorite song can be a great way to get them moving.
To learn more about how to support older adults with mobility issues, read our blog post:
Changes in Balance and Mobility in Seniors
Keep the Christmas Decor On
Instead of taking down the Christmas tree and other decorations immediately after Christmas Day, leave them up for a little longer to help lift the spirits of your elderly loved ones. The dark winter days can be depressing for them, and keeping lights and decorations up for a longer period of time will help prevent depression and brighten them up on cold days.
Join a Senior Center
If your older loved one is feeling lonely over the holidays, enroll them in a senior center. These centers are often full of activities that get people out and about and interacting with others. You can visit the website or call them to find out what’s on their schedule – they’ll probably have something that your loved one would enjoy.
Stay virtually connected
If you can’t visit physically, getting on a video call can be a great way to stay connected. Set up a video chat app on your loved one’s device that is easy and intuitive to use and does not require them to be tech-savvy. Also, keep sharing forwards, jokes, and photos from your day to make your loved one feel involved.
Get Professional Assistance
If you feel that your loved one is struggling with their mental health, it may be helpful to seek professional assistance. Visit your family doctor or a therapist to discuss coping with low mood, or seek a local mental health support group for resources and community.
At Affinity, we specialize in 24-hour senior care. Our caregivers can assist with mobility, medication reminders, eating (including meal prep), exercising, companionship, and personal care (grooming and bathing). If you need help caring for a family member, don’t hesitate to contact us at 248-657-7674 or fill out the form below to schedule a call-back from our in-home care advisor.