The holiday season is a joyful time for many. It’s a season filled with festive gatherings, good food, and the exchange of gifts. However, for older adults who live alone, it can also intensify feelings of isolation and loneliness. Seeing others celebrate with family and friends may make this time of year feel especially lonely for seniors who are without a strong support network.

In addition to increased social isolation, some older adults face practical challenges during the holidays. These could include difficulty traveling or shopping for loved ones, which can further complicate the season. Older adults can ease loneliness, travel safely, and avoid other holiday challenges by following these helpful tips.

Challenges of Loneliness

According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 16.2 million adults 65 years and older live alone. Loneliness can have a psychological and physical effect on seniors. According to the National Council on Aging, loneliness can lead to anxiety, depression, and dementia.

Older adults can keep loneliness and other ill effects at bay by doing the following:

• Making communication a priority.
• Engaging in social activities through local organizations.
• Exploring hobbies and other interests.
• Finding ways to combat loneliness when it occurs at any time.

Holiday Traveling

Another way to combat loneliness is to travel to spend time with friends and family. When traveling, be sure to stay at a hotel that suits your needs. Follow public health and the Transportation Security Administration protocols. Additionally, please refrain from publicizing your trip on social media sites, and carry medication with you and not in your luggage.

Budget Shopping

When you visit family and friends during the holidays, you may not want to show up empty-handed. However, many older adults live on fixed incomes, which makes buying gifts a challenge. Here are some tips to ease budget worries.

• Set a gift budget. Know what you can realistically spend.
• Explore DIY gifts. Handmade items are often more meaningful and affordable.
• Give a group gift. Purchase a high-quality gift with someone else, thereby avoiding the full cost yourself.
• Start early. Waiting until late in the season can lead to rushed decisions and a blown budget.
• Try thrifting. Thrift stores can be treasure troves of quality items at low prices.
• Re-gift thoughtfully. Many unused items in your home could be perfect gifts for others.
• Use cash when possible. Physically handing over cash can make you more aware of your spending compared to swiping a card.
• Shop online. You may not be able to use cash, but online retailers often offer deals not found in stores.
• Know when to stop. Resist the temptation to continue shopping after meeting gift-buying goals.

The holiday season can be a tough time for older adults. Hopefully, these tips for managing loneliness and finances can make the time of year a bit easier to get through.