The Holidays are a time of celebration, parties, and get-togethers
But sometimes, the holiday season can also be a source of the blues, especially for older people. Older adults may think about how quickly time has passed, or miss loved ones more during this time of year. Health conditions or concerns about money can also make it harder to enjoy the holidays.
Fortunately, there are ways to help cope with the melancholy that may accompany the holidays. The following are tips to help you cope:
If you feel blue, try to:
□Get out and about: Ask family and friends for help traveling to parties and events.
Invite family and friends over. You can contact the Office on Aging (202-724-5626) to find out where the senior holiday celebrations are in your Ward. Every year, seniors gather for a city’s seasonal holiday celebration in December. The citywide holiday celebration for seniors is also held in December. It is a good opportunity for seniors to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. You can also visit the special Holiday Lightings on the National Mall, House of Prayer Bishops’ House in NW and the seasonal shows at the Ford’s Theater, Evangel Temple, Kennedy Center and other theaters.
□Volunteer: Helping others is a great mood lifter. To volunteer contact your local volunteer organization- Greater DC Cares: 202 289-7378; Retired Seniors Volunteer Program: 202-289-1510 x 1171; D.C. Office on Aging Senior Service Network Agencies (dcoa.dc.gov or 202-724- 5626) or call local schools, churches, food bank, nursing homes, synagogues or mosques and ask about volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood.
□Limit the eggnog: Too much alcohol can lower your spirits.
□Accept your feelings: There’s nothing “wrong” with not feeling jolly; many people get the blues during the holidays.
□Confide in someone: Talk about your feelings; it can help you understand why you feel the way you do.
□Recognize warning signs of depression: Holiday blues are usually temporary and mild but depression is more
serious and can linger unless you get help. Look for these signs:
■ sadness that won’t lift; loss of interest or pleasure
■ changes in appetite or weight or sleeping a lot more or a lot less than usual
■ crying often
■ feeling restless or tired all the time
■ feeling worthless or helpless or guilty
■ slowed thinking
■ thoughts of death or suicide
□Start the healing: If you’re depressed, see your healthcare provider.
Depression is very treatable.
Tips for Senior Citizens in D.C. to Beat the Holiday Blues
If an older loved one has the blues or seems depressed:
Include them: Invite them out and to get-togethers. Take into account their needs
for transportation or special diets.
Lend a hand: Offer help with shopping, and preparations for get-togethers in their homes.
Be a good listener: Encourage your loved one to talk about how he or she is feeling.
Acknowledge “difficult” feelings, including a sense of loss if family or friends have died or moved away.
Encourage him or her to talk with a healthcare provider: Many older people don’t realize when they’re depressed, so if you suspect depression, you may need to bring it up more than once. Let your loved one know depression is a medical illness and is nothing to be ashamed of.
Where to get more information:
Depression and mental health issues
The Access HelpLine at 1 (888) 7WE-HELP or 1-888-793-4357 by the is the easiest way to get connected to services provided by the D.C. Department of Mental Health This 24-hour, seven-day-a-week telephone line is staffed by mental health professionals who can refer a caller to immediate help or ongoing care.
Call the Access Helpline to:
- Get emergency psychiatric care
- Help with problem solving
- Determine whether to seek ongoing mental health services or other types of services
- Find out what services are available
Seniors Counseling and Support
You can connect with an Office on Aging sponsored Lead Agency in your Ward. They have telephone reassurance and counseling programs which can give peace of mind to seniors who live alone, caregivers and/or who feel isolated and disconnected. Call (202) 724-5626 to connect you to the lead agency in your ward.
Volunteering
The Holiday Project of the National Capital Area organizes visits to people in nursing homes and hospitals
in Washington DC, Maryland Virginia, and Delaware. They give volunteers an opportunity to contribute to others and we create an opportunity for those we serve to contribute to us. Phone 703-370-0370 or E-Mailholidayprojectdc@hotmail.com
This fact sheet was compiled by D.C. Office on Aging (November2010) using some information from American Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA)
Bates Area Civic Association 