10 Expert Tips to Ease Holiday Isolation for Seniors

Seniors have many possible reasons to isolate themselves during the holiday season. It’s difficult to participate in holiday events and travel when you are struggling with grief, health issues, mobility challenges, financial pressures, long-distance family relationships, or general aches and pains. But holiday isolation can create loneliness and foster a habit of long-term social isolation which can seriously affect your health, including an increased risk of cognitive decline, heart disease, and premature death. But you can take positive steps toward regaining a feeling of connection with people whether in-person or online. Here are 10 expert tips to ease holiday isolation for older adults.

What Is Social Isolation?

You experience social isolation when you have limited interaction or contact with family, friends, or your general community. This could be due to personal choice or circumstances like an illness. According to a 2020 report, almost one-fourth of Americans 65 and older are socially isolated. Experts have called it an epidemic that profoundly threatens health.

Social isolation, common around the holidays, is associated with several health risks, including:

• Depression
• Dementia
• Stroke
• Cardiovascular disease
• Anxiety

The mortality risk associated with social isolation is similar to the risk associated with smoking and obesity. Chronic social isolation and loneliness can increase your risk of dementia by about 50%.

You may be socially isolated because you live alone, are geographically isolated, lack reliable transportation, or have mental health issues. But there are ways you can add more holiday cheer to the season and ease social isolation.

1. Participate in Local Holiday Festivities

‘Tis the season for holiday events that are often found at your local community centers, church or other religious organizations, and libraries. It’s a great way to begin pushing through the holiday isolation. Cities and towns often have holiday parades and tree lightings for the public to attend. Even if you can’t make it to the in-person event, you can engage in some activities remotely when you view online. Sometimes groups host activities like holiday markets, holiday book clubs, performances, holiday cooking classes, and assorted craft workshops. This can be a great way to meet others.

These holiday events can be a great way to learn more about local happenings and gain resources for programs and groups available throughout the year so you can stay connected when the holidays are over. Find holiday activities online, at your local library, or by asking around.

2. Volunteer

Discovering a renewed sense of purpose can bolster your desire to reconnect and break holiday isolation tendencies. Helping others is a key way to extinguish feelings of depression and loneliness. Serving others shifts your focus to other people and meeting their needs, which brings about feelings of connectedness and even accomplishment.

Possible ways to volunteer include helping at:

• Youth centers
• Meal distribution locations
• Shelters
• Senior centers

Search online in your local area to find volunteer opportunities that are a right fit for you.

3. Reach Out to Loved Ones

If you begin experiencing feelings of isolation, especially around the holidays, reach out to family members or friends right away. Life is busy for everyone and most people are absorbed in their daily routines and responsibilities. They may not notice your need until you clearly express it.

You could ask loved ones to check in on you routinely. And try calling to speak with someone rather than texting or sending emails. The sound of a human voice can dramatically increase feelings of emotional connectedness and helps strengthen your relationships.

4. Try Virtual Holiday Gatherings

Even when you can’t be there in person, setting up virtual contact can make you feel more engaged and connected with family and friends. A video call during a holiday meal or traditions like decorating, baking, or even community events can increase feelings of belonging and warmth as you connect across the miles.

If you’re hesitant to use technology, consider the benefits of tech such as FaceTime and Zoom. Connecting with family and combating holiday isolation can be worth the effort.

5. Adopt a Pet

Pets offer daily companionship and comfort and are the next best thing to another person’s company. Aside from feeling unconditionally loved, pets are another way of adding meaning and purpose to your life. A national survey of both pet owners and non-pet owners revealed that 85% of participants agreed that having a pet to interact with helped reduce loneliness.

The thought of taking on a pet full time may be overwhelming, but some animal shelters offer holiday pet fostering, making it a temporary arrangement at a time you need it most.

6. Hire In-Home Help

A home health care worker or similar caregiver can be an enormous help for a few hours once or twice a week. Not only can they provide for your health needs, but they can also offer social interaction and companionship. These trained aides can help you participate in traditional holiday activities that wouldn’t be possible or even pleasurable to do alone. Your aide may even bring you to holiday events.

7. Give Social Media a Try

Social media may not be something you have been comfortable with, but it has many positives for staving off social isolation, especially around the holidays. Think of it as a tool to connect with family and friends when you can’t be together. A good tip is to limit your social media use. Set a daily time limit for social media so that you don’t spend too much time on these platforms, scrolling through everyone else’s life. Take some time out each day to catch up with loved ones and connect in this small way.

When overused or misused, social media can heighten feelings of isolation and disconnection. Be wise about how you use it and stop engaging with it if your feelings of loneliness and isolation increase while using it.

8. Connect with New People Online

Isolation can begin to feel like a burden, especially during the holiday season. Friends and family can get busy, so it’s helpful to expand your friend circle to meet people with interests and schedules that match your own.

You can meet people online through Meetup.com and Nextdoor.com, these sites help you find people in your local area who share your interests.

9. Engage with Community Organizations

You may find help for holiday isolation through faith-based groups or senior centers. Here you can find a consistent connection that extends beyond the holidays. These groups provide a supportive, family environment. Through faith-based communities you can connect with people who share your beliefs and values. During the holidays, special events abound as your faith community may hold a musical or drama event in honor of the season. They often hold community fellowships and meals. All of these events provide opportunities for social interaction with a range of ages, even children. You can also volunteer through these communities.

Senior centers offer similar opportunities for social engagement around the holidays. They hold seasonal events and provide volunteer opportunities, but their community is focused on older adults. Senior centers also offer practical and emotional support for those struggling during the holidays.

10. Practice Self-Care

Amid all the activity and strain of the holidays, don’t forget to take care of your emotional and physical well-being. When you aren’t well, the last thing you want is company or social interaction. Make an effort to be kind to yourself in your thinking and expectations. And take time to care for yourself physically.

Good hygiene, adequate sleep, indulging in personal hobbies, all of these can motivate you toward social interaction and ease holiday isolation. Spend some time thinking about what is important to you during the holidays and make an effort to include that in your life.

Even if you live alone, it’s important to establish holiday rituals that bring you joy and comfort during the season. Try cooking a special meal, watching a favorite holiday movie, or decorating your home. Discover what you enjoy and make that part of your personal holiday tradition.

Overcoming Holiday Isolation for Seniors

The holidays aren’t easy for everyone, and as an older adult, you may struggle with feelings of loss or isolation because your family lives far from you. Chronic health conditions or financial constraints may make you hesitant to engage with your community. But loneliness and isolation don’t have to characterize your later years.

It’s important to recognize your feelings and their effects. Evaluate your degree of social interaction and consider taking steps to ease holiday isolation. Doing so can decrease your risk for several chronic diseases and even premature death.

Overcoming holiday isolation requires taking small steps that have a big impact. Be sure to take care of yourself and engage with your local community in person or virtually through social media and FaceTime. Try connecting with faith-based organizations or senior centers for long-term social interaction in a compassionate setting. You can also adopt a pet, volunteer, or hire some in-home help to help you through these challenging times.