Holiday Humbug: Combating Senior Isolation During the Holiday Season

Twinkling lights bring gaiety to quiet neighborhood streets. Decorations adorn local shops in all shades of reds and greens. The scent of frost and peppermint fills the air. For many, the holiday season is a time for joy and celebration. For others, however, the holidays come with mixed emotions.

Seniors and their caregivers alike can struggle with stress during the holiday season. For caregivers already navigating a complex balance of work, life, and caring for a senior loved one, the holidays can add unnecessary frustration and unwanted pressure in the form of added responsibilities, lengthy to-do lists, and caregiver burnout.

For seniors, the holidays can create or amplify feelings of anxiety, discouragement, and grief. Memories of Yuletides past can be a painful reminder of the family and friends that are no longer here and can highlight the physical challenges and changes that have come with aging.

Many older adults also struggle with social isolation and loneliness, which can be intensified by the cultural emphasis on companionship during the holidays. This can especially be true of older adults who are physically and/or emotionally distant from their loved ones, live alone, lack reliable transportation, have lost a spouse or close friends, or are homebound.

Combating social isolation and feelings of loneliness, especially among older seniors, cannot be overstated. In addition to affecting emotional and mental well-being, these feelings can significantly impact a person’s physical health and longevity.

With the holiday season underway, we have examined a few of these health impacts and offered ways to help alleviate the isolation and loneliness an aging loved one may experience during this time of year. Read on to learn more.

Social Isolation and Loneliness Impact Health Outcomes

According to a 2020 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, nearly 25% of American adults age 65 and older are considered socially isolated. Notably, this report relies on research conducted before the global COVID-19 pandemic, which further increased social isolation for many seniors, some of whom may still feel the impact due to smaller social circles and new or continuing health concerns.

Although the terms are related and often used interchangeably, social isolation and loneliness are not exactly the same thing. Social isolation refers to a person having few or no social connections or interactions, either by choice or circumstance. For seniors, isolating circumstances might look like geographic distance from family members and friends or chronic health issues that limit their community presence. Loneliness refers to perceived feelings of isolation and can occur in the presence of other people. A person can have many social connections but still feel lonely if these connections are not sufficiently meaningful or fulfilling.

Both isolation and loneliness have been linked to a wide range of health problems, with a 2023 study suggesting that their impact on mortality is similar to the effects of smoking 15 cigarettes per day and higher than the impact of a sedentary lifestyle.

Social isolation and feelings of loneliness can increase a person’s risk of mental health issues like depression and anxiety, physical health issues like cardiovascular disease and stroke, and age-related health issues like dementia. Alongside depression, severe social isolation and prolonged loneliness can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions, which is a serious and rising concern among older adults. Feelings of loneliness can even weaken or disrupt a person’s basic bodily functions, such as their immune system and sleep patterns.

Cultivating Community and Connection at Christmas

Since this disconnection can contribute to negative health outcomes, it’s crucial to take steps to alleviate both real and perceived isolation in your senior loved one’s life. Whether they are living alone at home or surrounded by peers in a senior living community, there are a variety of approaches to take.

Strengthen local connections. For most of us, our social circles become smaller and more scattered as the years pass. Some seniors, especially those with mobility issues or transportation barriers, might go days without speaking to another person. Taking the initiative to seek out connection intentionally is the first step toward easing the pains of isolation and loneliness. Many libraries, senior centers, local organizations, communities of faith, and other communal spaces host holiday events during this time of year. Encourage your senior loved one to attend a festive gathering or volunteer at a nearby charity. If you can, offer to go with them to alleviate nerves and provide more support.

The possibilities are only as limited as your community’s creativity: holiday book clubs, musical performances, craft workshops, holiday markets, cooking classes, light displays, letter writing, sorting food donations, gingerbread house decorating, gift basket building, sewing, quilting, blanket making, and much more. Seek out senior-friendly festivities for an experience catered to your aging loved one’s needs.

Take advantage of technology. Today’s seniors are increasingly comfortable using the internet to contact their loved ones. Although nothing beats an in-person holiday visit, busy schedules and cross-country travel can sometimes hinder your best efforts. Facetime, Zoom, Google Hangouts, social media, or even a simple phone call all offer older adults a way to virtually connect with friends and family no matter how far away they roam.

Get to know yourself. You are never too old to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Whether it involves exploring new hobbies, rediscovering old passions, investing energy into a healthier lifestyle, or engaging in creative expression, learning what you like about yourself and the world around you can make it easier to create and deepen genuine connections with others.

Some older adults may discover they are content to live alone because they enjoy the freedom of their own space. Others may be surprised to learn that the old piano they haven’t touched in decades has become a necessary outlet for their grief.

While the season can present unique challenges for lonely seniors and their caregivers, there is no shortage of ways to foster a renewed sense of community and connection during the holidays. Taking the time to actively seek out meaningful relationships, embracing alternative communication styles, and engaging in self-care can go a long way toward relieving isolation now and into the new year.

To learn more about how United Methodist Homes provides a wealth of offerings and opportunities to support the health and well-being of our residents and their caregivers, contact us today or schedule a complimentary visit now.