Combatting Senior Isolation During the Holidays and Beyond

The holiday season is full of joy and festivities, but sometimes, there’s a lot of pressure on individuals to enjoy themselves during the holidays. Unfortunately, many older adults face increased feelings of isolation and loneliness during this time of year.

According to the U.S. Census, over 27% of adults over the age of 65 live by themselves. However, a person doesn’t have to live alone in order to experience the effects of senior isolation. Anybody who feels they lack meaningful social connections is at risk of social isolation, which can be detrimental to mental and physical health. In fact, research has shown that feelings of loneliness and isolation have the same impact on our health as smoking up to 15 cigarettes per day. 

At Astral at Auburn, we understand the importance of combating senior isolation, which is why our senior living community in Auburn, Indiana, provides various amenities, activities and opportunities to enhance social wellness. 

We want to make sure everyone is able to find social connection during the holiday season – and all year – which is why we’re sharing some helpful ways to combat senior isolation. 

Maintain Regular Communication

If you or someone you love lives alone, has limited mobility or lacks transportation, they might go days without social interaction. Keeping in touch and regular communication is vital, especially during the holidays. 

While nothing compares to an in-person visit, there are plenty of options to keep you connected during the holidays. For example, video chatting with FaceTime, Skype or Zoom is an excellent way to enjoy a conversation while still enjoying the feeling of a face-to-face visit. Phone calls are also a great way to stay connected, and by coming up with a daily or weekly phone schedule, you can make all the difference in your social wellness or the wellness of your loved one.

Get Festive & Celebrate

If your loved one is unable to decorate their home or senior living space, why not gather relatives and friends, pick up some meaningful and festive decorations and help them decorate their space to help them get excited for the season? This presents a wonderful opportunity for a social visit that will help to get everyone in the holiday spirit. 

If you live near your loved one, it’s obviously going to be easier for you to take the time to visit and help decorate. However, it can be more challenging for those who live at a distance from their older loved ones. Fortunately, a great compromise is to put together a holiday package full of decorations to send to your loved one and schedule a video call where you can both decorate together – despite the distance!

Keep In Touch After the Holidays

If you have a holiday season full of exciting plans and gatherings with your loved ones, you’re probably excited about being able to spend time with any relatives you don’t get to see very often. While keeping in touch during the holidays is essential for social well-being and ensuring your loved one feels appreciated and loved during this season, it can be a drastic change of pace after the holidays are over. 

For example, once relatives return home and get back into their daily routine of work and other responsibilities, keeping in touch with older family members might not be as much of a priority. This can lead to additional negative feelings beyond loneliness, such as sadness, disappointment and mental distress. 

As a result, be sure to keep up your communication with your loved ones after the festivities have ended in order to continue to feel close and connected to each other. 

How Senior Living Supports Connections

Beyond the care and support, senior living communities make it easy for older adults to stay connected to friends, family and the things they love. Whether during the holiday season or any time of year, residents of Astral at Auburn have access to amenities, conveniences, and, most importantly, connections.

People often become busy during the holidays with gift shopping and planning celebrations, but it’s important to remember what this season is all about – spending time with the people you love. 
At Astral at Auburn, our senior living community in Auburn, Indiana, is proud to offer a wide range of services and support to ensure that you or someone you love feels connected all year. Contact our team today to schedule a tour and discover a senior living community worth exploring!