Before you hit the last lyrics of Auld Lang Syne, you will have maneuvered through a jam-packed month of friends, family, and holiday cheer. The holiday season can bring plenty of joy and celebration, but it can also bring a host of stressors that may impact your elderly loved one, and possibly lead to the holiday blues.

High emotions, boisterous gatherings, rich foods, limited budgets, and obligatory visits are a recipe to raise anyone’s blood pressure. These holiday stressors can trigger depression in some seniors as their regular routine is disrupted, and they feel “out of sorts”.

As some seniors are faced with the illness or death of a spouse, neighbors who move away, and friends who have passed, their social circle becomes increasingly smaller. Others may be limited by their mobility or inability to drive to participate in activities. These seniors may find themselves feeling isolated and lonely.

Whatever the reason or combination of reasons, your senior loved one may seem withdrawn and sad this holiday season.

How can you help? First, it’s important to be able to recognize the common signs of depression in older adults. If your loved one is exhibiting any of these symptoms of depression, it is best to consult with their physician. Depression is not a normal part of aging and should not be left untreated.

Common signs of depression include: fatigue; increased irritability; not maintaining their personal appearance; lamenting of the past; focusing on their own mortality; change in weight; loss of appetite or overeating out of boredom; and struggling with memory and confusion.

If your senior loved one is feeling down this holiday, here are a few ideas on how to help lift their mood and prevent isolation:

• Celebrate family traditions. Every family seems to share a favorite tradition during the holidays that strengthens their family bonds. Whether you are cooking a traditional family tamale recipe, making popcorn garland to trim the tree, or singing holiday songs in German, these traditions can offer great comfort and a sense of identity.
• Be there when they want to talk. Some seniors may want to share their feelings of frustration or sadness. By Just listening, you can make a big difference in their day. Don’t underestimate the power of a warm embrace, a simple hug, or holding their hand to comfort and soothe frayed nerves.
• Make a family connection. The holidays are a wonderful time for seniors to share stories, scrapbooks, and photographs with the younger generation. And don’t forget to include your out-of- town family via Skype or on the phone during family gatherings. This is a great opportunity for the young grandchildren to share pictures of their lives from their ipads or social media connections.
• Create new holiday memories. Encourage seniors to participate in holiday activities and preparations such as gift wrapping, shopping, baking, decorating, holiday card writing, or a drive to look at holiday lights in the neighborhood. These simple pleasures can create new memories.
• Connect with their community. Social interaction is vital for healthy aging. Encourage activities that provide a sense of community such as attending a religious service, volunteer event, senior center activity, holiday pageant, or live concert.
• Beat the fatigue. During this sometimes-hectic holiday season, getting enough sleep is vital for health. Encourage quiet rest times and naps during the day to make sure that your senior family member is getting the proper amount of rest and downtime to rejuvenate.
• Keep it healthy. The holidays are an easy time to overindulge. But unhealthy habits, like too much sugar or alcohol, can contribute to feelings of depression. Make sure to keep plenty of healthy food options on hand for snacks and meals.

My wish for you this season is that your family will find great health, joy and peace with your senior loved one. No matter their age, mood and putting aside what may have been upsetting yesterday, use the warmth of the season to melt those holiday blues away.

Kathy Stewart is the vice president of nursing at Aegis Living, a senior assisted living and memory care company serving 2,000 residents across the west coast, including Kirkland and Redmond.