Keeping Older Adults Safe During the Winter Holiday Celebrations

The holiday season is a time for fun, festivities, family gatherings, and good cheer. If there is any time of year when families and friends from near and far plan to reunite, it is usually during the holiday season! This year, especially, people are feeling the draw, to come together after so many months, and in some cases, years of separation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

While family reunions alone are a cause for celebration, it is important to keep safety and health in mind - particularly when it comes to older adults. This is especially important for older relatives hosting family gatherings this holiday season. The holidays tend to upend our normal routines, so it is best to prepare for them well in advance.

We would like to offer some reminders and tips to keep everyone prepared and safe during the winter holidays. 

Holiday Health Tips

Holiday treats and decadent meals can make it very challenging to keep your health in check! Even while celebrating the season, older adults will still want to be cautious while maintaining a proper diet, getting plenty of rest, and staying hydrated!

• Get plenty of sleep! Hosting and entertaining family can be exhausting. Be sure to set time aside for rest. Even if you are not hosting, be sure to leave plenty of time in your schedule to recuperate.

• Stick to your dietary guidelines. Although it may be tempting, try not to indulge in too many holiday sweets! 

• Stay hydrated! Don’t wait until you’re thirsty before you drink water. Stay on top of your water intake. 

Fall Prevention

Falls are the primary cause of injury among adults ages 65 and older. That is why it is important to be prepared!

• Pick up loose papers or items from the floor and stairs - these are tripping hazards!

• Move anything that obstructs a direct walking path

• Eliminate potential tripping hazards – electrical cords and rugs

• Tighten handrails

Alcohol Awareness

Alcohol can have repercussions for people of all ages. For older adults, alcohol can present unique challenges. As we age, our alcohol tolerance level changes - typically to a lower level of tolerance. Too much alcohol can, of course, lead to other problems like depression, falls, accidents, and negative interactions with medications.

Many people turn to drinking during the holiday season to deal with the stresses of the season, bereavement, or isolation. Drinking to cope can have negative effects, causing anxiety and interfering with other prescribed medications.

If you drink alcohol, you should follow the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: men should consume no more than two standard drinks a day, and women should consume no more than one standard drink in a day. The Guidelines website also has helpful information and tools for making changes to your alcohol intake.

Embrace your Emotions

Sometimes the holidays can be especially hard on an emotional level. They can bring up memories and resurface emotions of sadness and loss. 

Don’t ignore these feelings. Reach out to your family and friends for extra support. Grief is a normal response to a loss and is the way out of the pain of loss. There is no right or wrong way to grieve during the holidays, but facing grief alone and in isolation can make things even more difficult.

Covid-19 Safety

This winter is an especially dangerous time for older adults because of the Covid-19 virus.

• Did you know that 94% of the 770,000+ US residents who have perished from Covid-19 were over the age of 50, including more than 250,000 who died last winter?

If older adults get Covid-19, they are much more likely to be hospitalized or to die. Vaccines greatly reduce an older person’s risk of getting a severe case of Covid-19. By being fully vaccinated, older adults reduce their chances of being hospitalized by up to 94% and of dying by up to 91%.

The greatest risk of infection for older adults comes from family and friends who visit indoors and might not know they have been infected with Covid-19. Even if you are fully vaccinated, it is still possible, but less likely for you to get and transmit Covid-19 to family and friends. The virus is spread primarily through the air. Therefore, it is important to be especially careful around unvaccinated, older adults.

How can you protect yourself and the ones you love?

• It is recommended that you get vaccinated, and if you are already, consider getting a booster shot.

• If you plan to visit with friends and family over the holidays, do so in open-air spaces or in well-ventilated areas.

• Wear masks indoors, especially around those who may be unvaccinated.

• Social distance when possible.

Regardless of whether you are hosting loved ones and friends this holiday season, or if you are traveling as a guest, we hope you consider these safety measures to make certain that yours and everyone’s holiday is happy, safe, and bright!