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 The Summit at Chenal Valley Senior Living, we understand celebrating during 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 sadness, decreased motivation, decreased socialization, appetite changes, irritability, and changes in sleep patterns. Knowing the resident’s baseline and recognizing these changes are very important.
To help residents eliminate the holiday blues, we engage with them, discuss their traditions, and implement them within the community, if possible. We plan meaningful events, ensure that social events include families, and be there for our residents, even if it’s just a listening ear.
Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in older adults during the holiday season. To help combat that, we provide meaningful events and plan group events that include family and friends. Providing engagement during the holiday season is so important to ensure our residents do not feel alone.
Our community encourages new and fulfilling traditions by providing joyful engagement that creates a sense of belonging and family.
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 help you as the holidays approach.
The Summit Senior Living in Little Rock, AR 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 St. Vincent’s Infirmiry with convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Chenal Country Club, The Promenade Outlets, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, and Big Damn Bridge.
