Holiday Depression

Elderly nursing home residents may have no family and no friends left alive. The holidays can revive memories of what once was and stoke feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression. According to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation (GMHF), during the holiday season, the elderly may feel more acutely the passage of time; the absence of parents, siblings, and friends who have died; and the distance of loved ones who have moved away. When traditional celebrations and rituals no longer occur, the holidays may seem empty.

Deliver Some Cheer

If you would like to feel you’ve really made a difference in someone’s life this holiday season, visit a nursing home.

• Just visit! Take a couple of friends along and sing holiday songs with the residents.
• Take in some cookies to share (speak to the administrator or activities director first).
• Make some holiday cards for the residents.

Thanks for making 2020 gift drop a great success. Hopefully we will be able to visit soon.

As many as 60 percent of Elders who live in a nursing home environment do not receive outside visitors.

Research by Dr. Joyce Varner of the University of South Alabama confirmed the fact that 60 percent of nursing home patients don’t receive visitors and this can have effects far beyond the psychological. They are also the patients most at risk for neglect and abuse.

A resident who doesn’t have visitors may not have anyone to report abuse or neglect to. The elder may be frightened to speak up to anyone who works for the nursing home, so may have no outlet to report abuse occurring by staff members if he gets no outside visitors.

People who go to nursing homes should be watchful for signs of problems. Volunteers and even people who are visiting other residents should be on the lookout for possible signs of problems and should speak up if they see anyone being hurt or being neglected in any way.

Can you imagine being alone during the holidays?  Many residents of our nursing homes live this reality every holiday season.  During a time that is filled with joy and laughter, many nursing home residents are feeling nothing but loneliness.  We are here to make a difference in the lives of as many elders as possible and spread holiday cheer along the way.  We visit each and every elder on out list as we deliver their gifts.  Often the requests are as simple as body lotion, reading glasses, or lip balm.  We bring what they need and we also bring plenty of hugs.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 50 percent of nursing home residents have no close relatives, and 46 percent have no living children.  An estimated 60 percent of nursing home residents never have visitors.  This is the forgotten population.