Ways to Help Seniors Deal with the Post-Holiday Slump
The holidays are often the best time of the year for our senior loved ones, especially when they are filled with activities and a flurry of visitors. Once the hustle and bustle is over and the family and friends return home, it can be a letdown, especially for senior citizens, who are often prone to loneliness as they age. Going from seeing relatives and having plans nearly every day of the holiday season to spending much time in solitude can be a huge letdown for some seniors. Here are some suggestions to help your senior loved ones deal with the post-holiday slump.
Understand What They’re Going Through
You might feel busier than ever getting back into the swing of things and making up for all that time you took off over the holidays. But understand that your loved ones might be feeling the opposite. With everyone back at work, they may feel lost or isolated. The feeling of sadness once something is over is something everyone can relate to. Be patient with your loved one if they are in the dumps, especially with the colder weather in Wisconsin settling in. Understand that they might be sad partly because they miss you and all the fun you had together over the holiday season.
Give a Little More
Your senior loved one might be unable to socialize if they feel down. Give them a little extra attention. Maybe stop over one morning before work with a coffee from The Attic and let them know you’re planning something to do together for a longer period of time on the weekend. Let them know you’re thinking of them and that your fun times together aren’t stopping just because the holidays are over. Plan some activities together to help them return to their normal post-holiday routine. Try to visit with them just a little longer. Have dinner together and recap the holidays. Get tickets to the Civic Symphony of Green Bay show in February, so you both have something to look forward to.
Get Some Help
Whether it is from other relatives or a home care agency such as Right at Home serving the Fox Cities and Green Bay, get some help to ensure your senior loved one isn’t feeling too lonely at this time of the year. Have beloved relatives or friends make phone calls or send some texts to your loved one more often than they usually do. Tell the grandkids that Grandma knows how to text now and would love to hear from them. Maybe it’s time for you to take your senior loved one to visit relatives in a warmer climate. Plan a getaway over President’s Day weekend. Consider companion care for your senior loved one if that isn't enough. Home care agencies have compassionate caregivers on staff who will come into the home and keep your senior loved one company. They can do everything from crafts with your seniors to listening to their stories. They can read books together, watch movies, and even help them make comforting foods during this season.
If your senior loved one needs even more help than that because of the winter blues, consult their doctor. They may overcome their sadness as the days pass and the weather warms. However, it is important to consult their doctor if they differ from what you’ve seen before. Other things to watch out for are a lack of appetite, a lack of interest in their favorite things or people, or an unwillingness to do things they usually do.
Right at Home Can Help
If you’re looking for help keeping your senior loved one happy, healthy and independent in the New Year, our caregivers at Right at Home can help. We will develop a care plan to meet your needs. To learn more about the care options we offer our clients and their families in the Appleton and Green Bay areas, call us today at (920) 257-4667. Our office serves seniors throughout the Fox Cities communities and surrounding areas, including Outagamie, Winnebago and Calumet.
Right at Home will help tailor care plans to meet your specific needs. Whether you need care full-time or just once a week, Right at Home is here to help local families.
