Tips to help keep elderly friends and family happy, hopeful and in the “love circle” this holiday season.

Content courtesy of the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation

(Nov. 23, 2009 – Baltimore Sun) – For most of us, the holidays are a time to gather with friends and family, celebrate, reflect on the past and plan for the future.

As we age, however, the holidays can be a difficult time. Older adults may feel more acutely the passing of time, the absence of parents, siblings and friends who have died, and the distance of loved ones who have moved away.

Traditional reunions and rituals that were observed in the past may not be possible and in their absence, the holiday may seem devoid of meaning.

It’s normal to feel subdued, reflective and sad in the face of these losses and changes, but it’s also important to make sure holiday-related “blues” don’t worsen into full-blown depression.

Some major factors contributing to holiday depression in the elderly are:

-Financial limitations
-Loss of independence
-Being alone or separated from loved ones
-Failing eyesight (and lessening the ability to write or read holiday correspondence).
-Loss of mobility and/or the inability to get to religious services.

Click here to read some tips to help older people, their caregivers and families to battle the onset and worsening of holiday related depression.

**The Adult Day Health Program at Family Alliance helps seniors avoid holiday depression by providing many stimulating social activities; our programs give clients something to look forward to. We provide over 30 hours of care a week with door-to-door transportation for seniors living in our service area. Family Alliance also employs Licensed Clinical Social Workers who provide in-home and on-site counseling to diagnose and help the senior experiencing depression work through their symptoms. For more information on Family Alliance programs call 815.338.3590 or visit www.FamilyAllianceInc.org.