“Tis the season to be jolly…fa, la, la, la, la…”
“Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, come light the menorah. Let's have a party…”
Sometimes as we age, we don’t feel like having lots of parties anymore, and the holidays are no longer very jolly. What used to be a time of joy can change, as life throws us some curve balls.
We think we’re supposed to be especially happy this time of year. That expectation itself can cause people of all ages to become sad or depressed, but older adults are especially susceptible. “As the caregiver of an elderly parent, you can be prone to assuming your loved one’s feelings of melancholy or anxiety,” says Leslie Dunham, LCSW-C, a social worker at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
While the holidays may not be the same as they were in the past, there can still be plenty of reasons to celebrate. One of the most important things to remember is that it’s okay to enjoy the holidays as they are now. Memories hold a special place in your heart, but the heart has enough room to add new memories.
Knowing what may trigger gloomy feelings during the holidays, and how you can cope, may help you feel better.