Strictly Business Omaha - December 2020

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Senior Living Through the Holidays

When most people think about the holidays, they envision twinkling lights, family time, laughter, funny sweaters, decorations, glistening snow, Christmas carols, Santa Claus, parties, hot cocoa, family movies, and general holiday cheer. In fact, it seems that people are actually under pressure to enjoy themselves during the holidays. Holiday joy is not a reality for everyone, though, especially in this crazy year of isolation. Many elderly residents in Lincoln will spend their 2020 Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in assisted living, rehabilitation, memory-care, or independent living, while others will stay home, often alone, because they don’t have family nearby or are dedicated to practicing social distancing. While anxiety, depression, and isolation are more common among the elderly than we’d like to believe, research has shown that the holiday season often makes these feelings more severe. People need social interaction, and memories of the holidays of yore, missing family and friends, and the extreme lack of social interaction they’ve experienced

this year can leave seniors feeling lonelier than ever. The loss of traditions and acceptance that their life is not like it was in the past can be especially painful during the holidays. It turns out, however, that making special connections with your loved seniors during this season isn’t as difficult as you might think—even if you can’t visit them in person. We talked to senior-care experts in the Omaha community to find out how they help spread the joyful holiday spirit among the seniors in their care—and how seniors’ families can help keep their moods boosted and make them feel like they are still part of the celebrations. There are some fantastic caregivers in Omaha that are taking tremendous care of your loved ones in senior living, but the fact is, they aren’t YOU, and the seniors in your life need to connect with family more than ever during this holiday season. We even asked the experts to share some fitting gift ideas for isolated seniors in 2021, and we got some fantastic input that can help you wrap up your holiday shopping for your favorite seniors—or for someone

Wondering about memory care? We’re here to help. Whether you’re just starting to research or ready to make a move, our caring team can help you every step of the way.

402-853-7809 THREE COMMUNITIES IN LINCOLN 5720 S. 25th Street | 6616 S. 84th Street | 240 South 70th Street

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Strictly Business DECEMBER 2020

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