Many people are used to spending holidays with their spouses and children. Such moments are usually joyful as they engage in various activities that make the holiday season lively. However, a time comes when many have to say goodbye to their loved ones. This can be one of the loneliest moments the individuals will spend without other family members.
It can be even lonelier for senior citizens who may feel isolated from their loved ones. Fortunately, there are several ways that senior loved ones can cope with their first holiday season living alone. Here are ways seniors can maximize isolation and ensure they enjoy the holiday season as much as possible.
Acknowledge and Accept the Changes
First, seniors need to accept that their loved ones are no longer with them. This is one of the most effective ways to cope with the situation. Acknowledging that other family members are not around can help seniors avoid getting worked up with too much thinking and feeling isolated. This is better than forcing themselves to make the best of the moments or focusing on the negative thoughts that may bring more loneliness.
Set New Plans and Expectations
Seniors can feel festive by setting new goals and expectations different from how they celebrated the holidays with their family members. Setting new expectations can erode memories of the holiday season with other family members. While it may be challenging to forget about their merry and bright moments with family members, setting new plans and expectations can help them focus without feeling isolated and lonely. Even if this is a temporary plan, it can help lift a little weight off their shoulders and minimize boredom when alone.
Do What They Love
Most senior citizens have hobbies that they can engage in at any time. When times and seasons change and family members move out of the home, seniors can keep busy by participating in what they love most. Hobbies can be physical or virtual, where seniors stay busy online playing games, attending virtual events, reading books, and following online classes, among other activities. Familiarizing themselves with their hobbies can make their holidays memorable without feeling lonely and isolated. They will have something to look forward to when they wake up or even during the day.
Stay Up on Basic Self Care
When all family members leave, and seniors remain alone and have to experience the holiday season alone, they should not give up on themselves. There is still a lot of hope to live a quality life, even alone. Seniors should practice self-care by eating nutritious foods, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and exercising as much as possible. While this strategy won't fix everything at once, it can help seniors feel better and quickly cope with the holiday season alone.
Coping with the Holiday Season Alone Is Possible
Seniors can put in their best effort to keep the holiday season lively as much as they can. While the feeling of loneliness may pop up sometimes, seniors can cope with them by applying different tips that keep them busy during the holiday. It is about accepting the current situation without feeling isolated by other family members who've left home.
If you are looking for in-home care for a senior loved one, Senior Helpers Seattle can help. We provide a wide range of services to senior loved ones in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Kent, Renton, and Sammamish. Contact us to speak to one of our professionals.