The holiday season is always surrounded by excitement. And although it’s nicknamed the most wonderful time of the year, there are many stresses that come with it as well. This year, the world is facing new stresses brought on by the pandemic. While many of us are adjusting to restrictions for the holidays, seniors in retirement communities may find themselves especially overwhelmed by all of the changes. Country Meadows Retirement Communities try to mitigate the stresses that typically come at this time of year by helping to combat concerns surrounding COVID-19 disruptions. They suggest trying out some of these helpful tips for a happier holiday season.
Eat a healthy diet
No one wants to think about restricting their diet during the holidays, but, it is incredibly important that seniors continue to eat a balanced diet all year long. It’s not necessarily the calories that are the greatest concern for seniors, but more so the combination of rich foods with medications that could prove troublesome. Thanks to nutrition programs at many retirement communities, seniors have a much easier time sticking to a healthy diet. Before indulging, it’s always best to discuss any dietary concerns with a primary care physician as a precautionary measure.
Participate in activities within retirement communities
All retirement communities have activity and event programs for residents. For those who may feel isolated this time of year, it’s important to take advantage of these programs that foster connections. Country Meadows currently has an extensive list of holiday-themed activities planned throughout its retirement communities. These activities include card making, group discussions on treasured holiday traditions, holiday-themed happy hours and much more. With so many options to choose from, seniors can participate in as many or as few of these activities as they wish.
In addition to a wide range of happenings within our retirement communities, residents can also have their choice of group events or activities that can be done on their own. This helps to cut back on any stress due to mobility limitations, anxieties or emotional burnout.
Get plenty of sleep
Rest, like a well-balanced diet, is crucial for the overall well-being of seniors. Not only does sleep help to reset and repair the body physically, but proper amounts of rest are also needed for mental health as well. Especially important during the winter months, sleep can help to boost the immune system and fight off any seasonal ailments that seniors are particularly vulnerable to.
Many seniors also find that moving into a retirement community helps to shape a daily routine, which is often more conducive for consistent sleep routines.
Reach out to coworkers and other residents within retirement communities
The holidays can be an emotional time for seniors. Whether they’ve recently lost a loved one or they find it difficult to think about cherished memories, having a shoulder to lean on can help to mitigate feelings of depression or isolation. Reaching out to other residents for acknowledgment can help to relieve those feelings. It’s very likely that others are experiencing similar emotions as they’re very common for aging adults. It’s also important to reach out to co-workers or your care providers if these feelings become distracting or too difficult to manage on your own. When you’re living in a retirement community, support is always close by.
Country Meadows has nine locations in Pennsylvania and one campus location in Frederick, Maryland. Often referred to as one of the best retirement communities in the area, we offer a wide range of services to serve a variety of resident needs. The services within our retirement communities include restorative care, rehabilitation, personal care and assisted living, memory support and independent living. If you or a loved one are beginning the retirement planning journey and would like more information about our retirement communities, please contact us today. Our co-workers can provide details on the services we offer, help you to schedule a tour of our retirement communities and answer any other questions you might have.
Country Meadows
Thank you for the great read! I am 63 years old and I get so stressed during the holidays. It is a lot for someone living on a fixed income and having family so far away from me.