How Live-In Caregiver Support Helps to Ward Off Loneliness During the Holiday Season

The holiday season hinges on memories: carefully curated and treasured heirlooms that reemerge every December, family photos by the tree, baby’s first Christmas, and so many other magical moments that many of us look forward to rekindling with each passing year.

For some senior citizens, however, the holidays – and the hustle, bustle, and festive brouhaha that ensues – can lead to feelings of sorrow. As the holiday season approaches – thoughts of family, friends, and togetherness can stir up wide-ranging emotions in our aging loved ones instead of happy reminiscences.

Even with frequent visits from their children and family, many seniors experience loneliness during the holiday season as they think back to times when they were surrounded by colleagues and peers who have since passed on.

Additionally, our energy levels and mobility begin to naturally decline as we age, and with them our feelings of independence and even freedom.

It’s important also to note that loneliness is not simply a “sad” feeling (though that may be part of it). Loneliness’s impact on physical and emotional health cannot be overstated, and its influence on the immune system can affect multiple internal systems, from the heart to the brain. According to the National Institute on Aging, loneliness and social isolation have even been shown to increase one’s risk for myriad health issues, including Alzheimer’s and depression.

Seniors who are experiencing feelings of loneliness may exhibit the following signs:

• Trouble sleeping
• Moodiness
• Withdrawing from social activities and relationships
• Lack of appetite
• Lack of interest
• Separation anxiety
• Hygiene problems

Lifting an aging senior’s spirit can ultimately lead to a longer, more fulfilling life. And live-in caregiver support, like that offered at Kenwood Care, can go a long way toward warding off feelings of loneliness during the holiday season.

1. Active listening. Ensuring face-to-face time with aging seniors and lending a listening ear are perhaps the best and most important ways we can ward off an encroaching sense of loneliness during the holiday season. Being fully present when a senior wants or needs to ask a question, air a grievance, or even just share a personal story from the past is paramount. Because Kenwood Care offers a 2.5:1 resident-to-caregiver ratio, this personalized attention is readily available in our four Howard County resident homes.
2. Social activities. At Kenwood Care, our live-in caregiver support team understands that physical and mental stimulation drives a sense of self-worth and happiness in our residents. Whether playing musical instruments, making crafts, or racking our collective brains on trivia night, all shared activities are designed to improve the quality of life for our seniors, while promoting entertainment, exercise, and abundant laughter among the group.
3. Food for thought: Home-cooked meals are so integral to evoking a sense of familiarity and comfort. The mere scent of a childhood holiday staple, or the heavy aroma of pies in the oven, can awaken long-dormant remembrances in seniors with memory conditions. Not only that, but meals shared around a table with new friends and live-in caregiver support workers help to foster lasting relationships while creating new memories for future holiday seasons.

At Kenwood Care, our live-in caregiver support staff is always on-site and on hand to lend a smile, handshake, or hug, warding off feelings of isolation and loneliness on a large scale. Our team is committed to a total continuity of care for your family members. We put our senior residents’ needs first while putting families’ minds at ease, and the regular presence of familiar faces helps to make the transition to a senior home simpler and stress-free. Contact us today to learn more.