Holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration and joy – but the expectation of good tidings may create the opposite feelings of depression and sadness. These feelings tend to be higher among the elderly, especially older seniors or those with no nearby family – local Council of Aging directors say.
“There is a high rate of depression among the elderly during the holiday season, because they are remembering times past, and old loved ones,” said Sharon Lally, director of Rochester’s Council on Aging.
“There is a loss of roles in their life. They may have been the matriarch or patriarch of the family, and they are no longer in the situation to gather the people. Sometimes it’s a tough time for seniors. Not to mention the cost of it. Living with fixed incomes, they can’t do as much as they like,” she said, noting that many seniors find solace through their churches or spiritual practices.
Jackie Ashley, Rochester COA’s Outreach Worker, said many seniors with family around cope well, but some of the more isolated people suffer. “Those who are really the elderly of the elderly, they are depressed. I do whatever to cheer them up. Laughter is the best medicine,” she said.
In addition to regular outreach services, the council works with the Rochester Lions Club to deliver Christmas Baskets with food and gift items to seniors.
“It gets me into houses I normally don’t get into… It’s chance to see some of the seniors who don’t go [to the Senior Center],” Ms. Ashley said, who serves 300 of the more than 1,000 seniors ages 60 and over residing in Rochester.
“There are a lot of seniors not on our radar, who don’t call and don’t come in. We want to tell them, ‘Make yourself known, stop by and see what we offer,’” she said. The Rochester COA’s phone number is 508-763-8723.
Jacqueline Coucci, the Director of Mattapoisett’s COA, said that although she has not witnessed changes in the functionality of seniors this holiday season, she knows the need to connect is there.
“We don’t hear about concerns. Those who are not being connected with as often, we don’t necessarily hear from them, maybe because they are ashamed they don’t have any connections,” Ms. Coucci said.
To help bridge isolated seniors with services and companionship, the council runs a number of programs which she encourages seniors to check out.
“We encourage people to call and say, ‘I’d love to have someone come visit.’ We are available. They don’t have to be shy if they just want someone to come over,” she said.
Right now, she is trying to jumpstart the Friendly Visitor program – which pairs volunteers with Mattapoisett seniors in need of a home visit or more personal human connection.
“We are trying to reach out to seniors who are homebound or who just want to have a visitor, and we are trying to encourage other people to step up to the plate and volunteer their services,” she said, requesting that prospective seniors or volunteers contact the council at 508-758-4110.
In the meantime, she encourages neighbors and families to make an extra effort to connect with older residents, whether by placing a phone call or making a visit.
Also, the cold weather places additional financial strain on seniors who survive off of small fixed incomes.
During the holidays, Marion’s COA Director Susan Schwager said that many seniors without family, or those who don’t have children, suffer. However, she said the biggest issue facing seniors is the ability to pay for oil to warm their homes.
“I hear about it every day. It’s a big concern. We’ve been doing a lot of PACE applications,” she said, noting that the nonprofit is cutting back on financial assistance.
“They live in small ranch houses or rentals. I’m not talking about the larger homes. They are keeping the heat at 60 degrees and I don’t blame them,” she said, noting that requests for assistance have increased this year.
To help seniors heat their homes and handle other emergencies on a “last ditch effort” basis, Ms. Schwager said she has developed an emergency fund.
“Anyone could donate to that. It is money that stays in town. It stays local and goes entirely to those in need. It is used for someone who comes across hard times – whether for rent, food, oil, medical bills, drug prescription costs, or who all the sudden need medicine,” she said, noting that Social Security has provided no cost of living increases in three years.
To learn more about the Marion COA or help with the fund, call 508-748-3570.
By Laura Fedak Pedulli