Photo (l to): Carol Segebart, Dawn Ketcham and DeAnn Leiting
It is not at all uncommon for the holiday season to be a time of stress, anxiety and depression for many, especially seniors. Several factors may come into play for these individuals, memories that emphasize the loss of a loved one, declining health that keeps them from participating in traditions or even the cold weather and shorter, drearier days that occur more often over the winter months. During the holiday season, Manning Regional Healthcare Center’s (MRHC) Senior Life Solutions program is there to teach coping skills that can help them beat back the holiday blues. The supportive staff, including board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Kremen, licensed therapist, DeAnn Leiting, patient coordinator, Dawn Ketcham, and program director, Carol Segebart, are there to provide an initial, individual assessment and then develop solutions to meet the needs of seniors in the community. Friends and family members can also help. “Noting a change of behavior of your loved one and acting on it quickly can help get them the right care that they need, and help prevent a more serious condition from developing,” says Leiting. Common signs include changes in sleep habits, tearfulness, change or loss of appetite, sudden loss of interest in favorite activities, depressed or irritable mood, decline in health and a lack of attending to personal care. Tips for helping you loved one through the holidays can be found here.
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Tips to help loved ones with the holiday blues:
- Help them get out and about to their local senior center or other community activities
- Allow them the opportunity to vocalize how and why the holidays are difficult for them
- Create a plan with family or a friend to help the loved one
- Celebrate and reminisce over a loved one’s life or the life of a loved one who has passed
- Help them call family and friends
- Take a drive and enjoy Christmas displays
- Exercise if health permits
- Make a favorite holiday treat
- Or watch a favorite holiday movie
