December 1, 2023
For many, the holiday season is a joyful, happy time built around togetherness, family, and friends. Still, for some, it can be very stressful and filled with overwhelming expectations, depression, and anxiety. The holiday season can be a reminder of those who are not with us anymore, financial limitations, sadness from being separated from loved ones, and the loss of treasured traditions.
At The Madison Senior Living, we understand celebrating this time of year doesn’t have to be sad or overwhelming. It can be a peaceful time of reminiscing, volunteering, spending time with friends, and creating new traditions!
The signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor for during the holiday season include hopelessness, irritability, trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, no motivation or interest in things, low self-esteem, and feeling tearful.
To help residents eliminate the holiday blues, we take advantage of the 46 days of Holiday Cheer and get residents excited and involved in the events of the holiday season. Many fun things are planned to help bring joy to our residents. Loneliness is one of the most common causes of depression in older adults during the holiday season. To help combat that, we spend time with residents, talk, or listen. Just taking a few minutes to sit with them at the dining table or in their apartment can make them feel loved. They enjoy sharing their favorite holiday memories.
Our community encourages new and fulfilling traditions by asking residents to share their holiday traditions and then incorporating them into the community.
The holiday season means different things to each of us. The holidays are about family, friends, food, and tradition. For many, the smells, tastes, and decorations bring memories flooding back. We hope some of these ideas will be helpful as the holidays approach.
The Madison Senior Living in Kansas City, MO offers independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near St Luke’s South/ Menorah with convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Top Golf, Park Place Shopping Center, Worlds of fun/Oceans of fun, Kansas City Zoo, Union Station/Crown Center, National WWI Museum and Memorial, and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Arrow Senior Living serves and employs individuals of all faiths, regardless of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or handicap, except as limited by state and federal law.
