7 Tips To Beating The Holiday Blues

The holidays including Thanksgiving and Christmas should be a time of happiness and celebration with friends and family. Often our feelings of anticipation and excitement become feelings of depression and anxiety. According to the New York times, Christmas time actually intensifies our emotions of joy and sadness. Many suffer from depression known as the ‘holiday blues.’

There are many demands during the holiday season financially and stressors with so many holiday parties,
cooking, and travel. Many seniors experience feelings of loneliness and depression during the holidays.
Let’s be sure to remember them! This should be a joyful time for our families.

Here are a few tips to help overcome the holiday blues this year:

1. Pace yourself. Do not over

commit yourself to events

and parties.

2. Don’t expect the holidays to

be just as they were when

you were a child. You are

not the same as when you

were a child.

3. Do get the old photos out

and take a moment to reminisce

with your loved ones about

the ‘good ol’ days’

.

4. Let go of past resentments and

do not bring up the past with your

relatives.

5. Stay connected. Loneliness often

causes us to isolate

but that is the worse

thing you can do. Surround

yourself with

people who care.

6. Talk about it. It’s much

easier to get through

the holidays when we

tell others how we are feeling.

7. Plan fun, low-cost Christmas activities

with your kids, grandchildren

and parents. Baking and

looking at Christmas lights is

great!

Merry Christmas from Southern Companions!

www.southerncompanions.net

Bringing Christmas cheer!

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is upon us with beautifully lit trees, colorful wreaths, snowmen, manger scenes and our favorite Christmas carols. The season is a time to celebrate our friends and family. We had the opportunity this week to celebrate our senior community at the Senior Celebration hosted by the Senior Provider Network in Gainesville, GA. Seniors were bused in from the Gainesville Senior Center and other assisted living facilities in the area to be a part of this annual event. With almost 100 seniors attending, it was a beautiful morning of warm, smiling faces.

Bringing holiday and Christmas cheer is such a blessing for those of us who assist the seniors in our community.Gathering around the piano singing some of our favorite Christmas carols like O Come All Ye Faithful and The First Noel, April Cummings and friends led us in a morning of music. Many of the seniors were excited to play the tambourine, maracas, and other instruments along with the Christmas carols.

The message by Pastor Dan Hagmaier at First Presbyterian was inspiring and brought out the humor in aging from 10 to 100. He spoke about the importance of legacy and passing on the library of wisdom as seniors that one can only learn through much experience. He recommended that the group take time to journal or write about their life and life experiences to pass on for the next generation.

 

Kelly Stone, April Cummings & Christine Martinello

There was a lovely spread of food as well and time of fellowship following the morning service. This was a wonderful opportunity to have access to the network of local businesses that serve the senior community as well as receive some goodies provided. 

As we join our friends and family for many celebrations this Christmas season, may we remember the good times of gathering around the piano, singing silent night and spending joyous times with our loved ones. May we recall the smiling faces of our relatives and giggling and excitement of little children. And, may we remember our seniors and surround them with peace, love and joy.

Let's gather around the piano a little more.

Grandmas are special

My grandma turned 84 this week! She is such an inspiration and joy to those around her. Although she has been through her share of life's troubles and woes, she remains lively and hopeful. I'm sure it's her faith that has brought her through divorce, illness, death and many other challenges that some never endure. Only when she is not feeling well does she not have a smile on her face. And, often when I stop by she is reading. Sometimes she is reading the Bible or she is reading something else about faith or politics.

Funny story about visiting my grandma on her birthday. She told me she wanted a new purse so I spent time trying to find one that wasn't a suitcase because I knew she wouldn't want one that is too big. I found a perfect size Tommy Hilfiger bag that was on sale. She loved it. But, when I was almost home she called me and I could tell she was bothered in her voice. She asked, "how much did you pay for that purse?" I giggled. Then I asked her what the price tag said. She anxiously said, "$79.00!" I laughed and assured her I got a good deal. She said she was going to tell me take it back!

Memaw, as we call her, is a bit spicy at times. She has the biggest heart, is passionate about life and faith and  worries more about others around her than herself. I have learned so many wonderful life lessons from sitting on her porch swing or in her den. Most of all, i have learned by example. She doesn't have any musical talent but she can sure bless your socks off by sending you a thoughtful card. My grandma isn't active in the community but she loves her family like crazy. My grandma isn't the most fashionable but she taught me how to be a classy lady. And, she may not have a lot of material things to account for but she has a heart full of love.

I wrote my grandma a song earlier this year called More of Me In You. I'd like to share one of the lyrics:

"you're a rock, a pillar, a safe place to go..."

At 84 years old, my grandma goes to church every Sunday and visits with her friends in Sunday school. My grandma still gardens as she can and walks almost daily. She calls her friends and family on a regular basis to check on us all. She cooks and takes food to our family in nursing homes and visits. And, she reads a lot. I believe my grandma sees every day as a new gift from God and doesn't take a breath for granted. She's a lovely lady and a blessing to so many.

~April

www.southerncompanions.net

Traveling Seniors

Italy, Germany, Alaska, Graceland and more! The sky is the limit with the active senior adult travel group Boomers and Beyond! Southern Companions' friend, Susan Rogers, began Boomers and Beyond for individuals 50+ as a way to meet new people and have the chance for seniors to travel to place they have always wanted to go.

This summer Susan and her husband, Mark went on a European Riverboat Cruise. Over a period of about a month Mark and Susan visited various European countries and made some golden memories. Soon after their return, Susan was off to New Orleans where she enjoyed Cajun cuisine and historic sights. Boomers and Beyond also plans local tours as well such as a recent trip this fall to Gibbs Gardens in Ballground, GA.

Whatever your interest or whether you want to travel abroad or in the U.S., Boomers and Beyond has a wide variety of travel tours planned year round. You can travel with your closest friends or meet a new travel buddy. Maybe you would have a fun and new adventure idea for the group. Even with limitations, this is a group that will help those with 'special needs' to keep you traveling.

Being an AARP member doesn't mean you are too old to cut the mustard. It means you have senior discounts and a chance to be an active traveler and explorer!

Go check out Boomers and Beyond on Meetup.com or LinkedIn for info on upcoming travel opportunities for you!!!

Where to live after 55?

In this day and age, we are seeing more senior adult communities popping up all across the country. We are aware that there is a large number of baby boomers in the United States and the senior population is only going to increase. The numbers are in. And, it is projected that the number of senior citizens will double by 2030. With the increase of our seniors we see a surge in ways to ensure that seniors can maintain the lifestyle and independence they want.

Seniors are getting active and keeping a quality of life by choosing to live in a community where there are people of like interests and many activities to keep them fulfilled. These communities include walking paths, pools, theaters, pet parks, libraries and fitness centers. Some of these communities have chapels as well. There are many other advantages to living in a 55 and older community. One favorite is that the lawn care is included. Also, the homes are designed for aging individuals and some units include special assisted living or an Alzheimer's or memory care areas.

Senior Living Communities are designed for a community of comfort and to be surrounded with a rich environment of social and cultural events. Keeping our bodies and our minds active are important for a healthy and whole life as we age. Fitness programs, nutrition presentations, live music and entertainment, and dining are all perks for living in a 55+ Community. Getting a few years on us doesn't have to take away who we are or the things we enjoy. We are never too old to be adventurous and certainly never too old to learn something new and live a little..or a lot.

Taking It To The Streets

Bells were ringing, folks were singing Jingle Bells, The Star Spangled Banner and dancing. This started our day at the Senior Center in Gainesville, Georgia. We were all smiles!

We enjoy the privilege of doing presentations, educating and being a part of our local communities Senior Centers and active Senior communities. An active life for senior citizens and those with disabilities is crucial for a feeling of connected and sustained good health. The last two weeks we have been taking it to the streets and teaching and doing presentations in senior centers where we have had overwhelmingly great responses and welcomes.

Last week we met a lady that is 98 years old. While she can't hear very well, she is extremely sprite and does weekly water aerobics and participates in Silver Sneakers with her friends at the senior center. She was so cheerful and laughed a lot. What an inspiration!

Today, we had the opportunity to provide a Alzheimer's presentation to a group of seniors. We provided educational information including signs of Alzheimer's and Dementia, personal experience with caring for individuals with Alzheimer's and helpful tips for caretakers. There was at least 6 or 7 individuals there who had a family member with Alzheimer's Disease and we had a few share their story with us all. 

Talking about experiences and being a part of an Alzheimer's Support Group is very helpful for family members who are frustrated or just plain give out from the 24/7 care it demands. Awareness is key to early detection but also learning about prevention and hopefully someday, a cure. We are glad to be making a difference in our community.

We also had some pumpkin bread for the group and it was gone in a hurry! What a wonderful fall day meeting some new wonderful folks and helping out in a small way.

~April Cummings, Marketing Director
Southern Companions

Stay at Home with our Help

www.southerncompanions.net

For more info on Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia visit http://www.alz.org/