Be on the lookout for loneliness and depression. The holiday season is joyous for many of us, but it’s also a time that can trigger grief and depression – especially in older adults. Seniors are not always able to share the holidays with loved ones, which leaves them vulnerable to loneliness and isolation. Adults who have been diagnosed with dementia may have an especially hard time. Aging Care, from A Place for Mom, published a piece authored by a person diagnosed with dementia, and he details the various challenges in a very compelling way. Here is one of his entries:

“The house looks and feels different, which worsens my confusion. Having to be at a certain place at a certain time is increasingly difficult because of my limited sense of time. With throngs of people, there are plenty of opportunities for forgetting names and faces, and crowds make conversations particularly difficult to follow.”

The National Council on Aging offers great information and tips on how families can deal with stress and the emotional ups and downs of the holiday season. Even the new year will be difficult for some folks, especially those who have lost a partner or experienced a recent injury. Families and caregivers should do their best to be sensitive to the needs of these loved ones and attempt to include them in activities whenever possible.