How to Cope With Your First Holiday Season Living Alone

Whether one has just lost a life partner or is no longer living with friends or family members, facing a first holiday season living alone can be a lonely experience. Even if we're planning to join our loved ones for those special days on the calendar, the in-between days can be a challenge. Here are a few tips seniors can use to make the holiday season merrier.

Catch Up with Friends and Family in Between Big Dates

We all want to wish our loved ones well on major holidays, but there's an upside to reaching out in the days before everyone gets together to celebrate. Seniors can use the time leading up to Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, or other favorite holidays to let people know they're important and to catch up on how they're doing. The people on the other line will be less likely to be busy and stressed and more eager to catch up. They may also love the opportunity to connect with others and feel appreciated to have been called.

Consider Adopting a Pet

Seniors who are having their first holiday season living alone can choose this time to bring home a pet. The quiet time will help with getting adjusted, and since many shelters recommend against adopting pets when homes are in holiday chaos, seniors could be saving the life of an animal that may not otherwise get adopted.

A new pet is an excellent way to make new friends. Seniors can look into local dog parks, obedience classes, and training clubs to find a whole new social outlet, and interacting with a pet is a great boost to mental and physical health.

Seniors who aren't ready to commit to a new pet can always volunteer to foster an animal while they wait for a "forever home."

In Your First Holiday Season Living Alone, Visit a Local Senior Center

Seniors who are lonely, or just feeling a little bored, might want to get to meet their neighbors at a nearby local Senior Center. There's usually a card game or two going on, a craft bazaar to check out, volunteer opportunities, or just a chance to meet new friends with similar interests. Here are a few in the Burnsville area. Why not stop by?

Invite Friends and Family to Visit

Seniors might consider hosting a get-together during the holidays. Bringing cheer to an otherwise lonely space will help create new memories to associate with home. Planning for the event will keep the seniors occupied, and they can always get resourceful when asking for help with planning or organizing a potluck.

Enlist the Assistance and Companionship of Senior Helpers of Burnsville

One doesn't need in-home care to benefit from Senior Helpers. Our professionals offer a variety of services, from drop-in companionship to help with errands and day-to-day tasks. The holidays are an excellent time to contact us. We serve clients in St. Paul, Burnsville, Hastings, and Cottage Grove, and we can help bring some holiday companionship when seniors need it most.