If you only look at television advertising or listen to the radio version of those same ads you’d easily conclude that all is happiness at this time of the year – even husbands doing last minute shopping are having a blast!
But reality is different and the holidays, whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Boxing Day for our Canadian friends, actually are a time of extreme depression for many people.
The could be because today marks the shortest period of daylight in the entire calendar year and it will be quite a few months before we see equal periods of daylight and darkness. We do need our sunshine after all, especially for Vitamin D, deficiencies of which are linked to depression and other diseases.
Also the holidays are times of extreme stress, between searching for gifts, searching for the money to buy those gifts, planning a series of major meals, searching for the money to buy the food to make those meals, and then compiling the guest list.
Ron Winter
There is an old adage that says you can choose your friends but not your family, yet at the holidays people who may not see or speak to each other all year long are expected to sit down in close proximity and act as if they are having a good time.
Then there are the elderly and shut-ins; people who can’t get out shopping or buying holiday decorations and may not have anyone living close by who will come visit. This is where we come in; we meaning those of us who have our health and faculties and have the ability to rearrange our schedules so we can make at least part of one day a bit better for someone who otherwise would be alone.
It is common in many communities to volunteer at soup kitchens and shelters on Thanksgiving and Christmas but that volunteer spirit can be extended to helping those who can’t get out. Perhaps your local senior center knows of people who will be alone on the holidays – most senior centers have extensive holiday programs tailored to the communities they serve, but probably will be closed on Christmas Day.
If they don’t maintain a data base of people in need they probably can direct you to the appropriate government agency or religious institutions in your community who can help determine if there are shut-ins nearby.
Once you identify who might need a boost over the holidays you need to determine what would make their day much better. There shouldn’t be any major needs, such as food or heat, what with America’s extensive social services network, but there are many other ways to help.
If the elderly person still has good eyesight and likes to read, a large-print book would be a wonderful gift. If they liked reading in previous years but their eyesight has deteriorated then a book on tape or CD would be a good option.
Perhaps they have far too much time on their hands with little to keep them occupied. In that case crossword puzzles or jigsaw puzzles could be just the thing. Crosswords can be obtained through local newspapers or clubs that will send new versions periodically, some as many as several a month, and can be obtained in large print editions.
Similarly, jigsaw puzzles can be purchased in versions that include larger pieces that are easier to see and handle.
There actually are myriad potential gifts for the elderly and shut in, but I think the best gift is yourself and your time. Finding ways for lonely people to pass the time is nice, but finding some time in your busy schedule to shine a light into the life of an elderly person is a gift without parallel.
And remember, we’re all headed that way whether we want to believe it or not, some sooner, some later, but eventually every last one of us. And, the Golden Rule – Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You – applies especially in our Golden Ages.
Besides, bringing joy to a shut-in person during the holidays could bring unexpected rewards. You might just make a new friend.
Merry Christmas!
