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 Township 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!
Being away from family can cause significant stress to our residents during the holidays. The signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress we should monitor for during the holiday season include being withdrawn, acting impulsively, and being irritable. Residents sometimes change their behavior habits to cope with the holiday stress.
To help residents eliminate the holiday blues, we help our residents by providing events and social engagement, and having these for residents to participate in aids in eliminating the holiday blues by giving a sense of togetherness and belonging. 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 our residents. Sometimes, a simple conversation will go a long way in making our residents’ day. We all, as staff, need to lead with a smile and provide warmth and encouragement.
New and fulfilling traditions are encouraged within our community. By participating in Arrow’s 46 Days of Holiday Cheer, we can support and engage the residents in the community. These are fun and activity-driven events to help the residents feel loved and supported during the holidays. The tree lighting ceremony is an excellent addition to our holiday season traditions, continuing our community’s growth.
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 help you as the holidays approach.
The Township Senior Living in Battlefield, 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 Cox Medical Center South with convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Backwoods Golf, Relics Antique Mall, Chesterfield Family Center, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, and Nathanael Green/Close Memorial Park-Botancial Gardens.
