The holidays are wonderful for bringing families together, however, seniors who may have physical limitations or find themselves grieving over the loss of a loved one may have a more difficult time enjoying the holidays or feeling included. Here are the top 5 ways to reduce senior loneliness during the holidays.

1. Visit

Plan visits to see a loved one a few times during the holiday season. For larger families, sometimes the chaos of everyone together at one time is too intense for seniors. Smaller, more intimate visits are better to keep stress levels down but also make them feel included.

2. Phone Calls

Take a few minutes out of your day to reach out to your loved one and see how they are doing. Actively listening to what they have to say, being engaged in the conversation and asking questions about the holidays will ensure you were the highlight of their day.

3. Encourage Activities 

Try to encourage your loved one to stay as active as they can. Some activities may include: taking a 10 minute walk every day, complete puzzles, join a club or if a loved one is in a senior living community, encourage them to participate in activities such as bingo, cards, or arts and crafts.

4. As a Family, Include Your Loved One in Family Traditions 

Family traditions are a great way to include your loved one. Baking holiday cookies, seeing plays, attending local parades and looking at different cities decorated for the holidays are all perfect ways to get your loved one involved and staying active.

5. Holiday Cards

Your loved one will enjoy receiving a holiday card with a family photo and a heartfelt message. Include a letter with the highlights of your families’ year for your loved one to read and reminisce about.

Contact Relevar Home Care, providers of trusted in home care in Rochester Hills, MI and the surrounding area, at (888) 493-3513 for help preventing senior loneliness this holiday season.