We’re only a third of the way through the winter, and we’re heading into February, which is notoriously one of the most difficult months of the year for those of us who live in chilly places. The days are short, it’s often grey and overcast, and sometimes it’s so cold that it’s not even possible to leave the house. 

This can cause depression for even the cheeriest of people, but for an older adult who may already be dealing with limited mobility or struggling with an illness, it can sometimes feel downright unbearable. 

This can present a challenge for caregivers, who not only have to manage the emotions of the loved one they’re caring for, but also have to somehow process their own feelings about the season. 

It’s a difficult task, but not an impossible one! And the pay off is absolutely worth it. After all, everyone deserves to feel good, and if the loved one you care for is happy, then there’s a very good chance you are going to feel happy as well. Want to know how? Read on!

1. Make Time to Listen

You might be surprised at just how impactful the act of listening can be to someone who is feeling down or isolated. 

Older adults often struggle with feelings of loneliness and lack of purpose, and, even if you spend a lot of time together, you might just be going through the motions, instead of actually sitting down to spend some dedicated one on one time with your loved one. 

Older adults have so many wonderful stories to share, and what better time than now to hear some of them? Put aside a little of your time each day to brew a cup of tea, sit down with your loved one and just let them talk. Ask them questions and really listen to their answers. Ask them to tell you a story, or to talk about something that brought them joy recently. And be careful not to dismiss them if they start to talk about feelings of loneliness, anxiety or sadness. Yes, it might feel uncomfortable at first, and a natural instinct might be to try to cheer them up, but often people can feel better simply by expressing their feelings out loud. And sometimes, after doing that the feeling doesn’t feel as big anymore, and they might be able to move past it on to other things. So, instead of jumping to another topic or rushing to cheer them up, try to validate their feelings and let them work through what they’re feeling without putting any kind of judgement on it or trying to figure out a solution. Sometimes the solution is simply being there for another person.

Healthline tells us that even small moments of connection each day can give a real boost to our mental health, so make a small effort, and potentially see huge results!

2. Encourage Your Loved One to Seek Help

Of course, there are going to be some circumstances that call for more help than you can offer, and that is when it would benefit you and your loved one to recommend that they seek the help of a professional mental health therapist or counselor. While of course you might want to help your loved one through their mental health struggles, it could be harmful to both them and to yourself if you try to guide them through trauma or other mental health issues that you don’t have the appropriate training to handle.

Instead, encourage them to reach out to Total Life, where they can find therapists who have specific training in a range of mental health conditions such as grief, life transitions and cognitive decline. Sessions are offered over the phone and may be completely covered by medicare. 

There are also many community options that can provide support to older adults, such as group therapy sessions or simply events where people can get together to chat about shared experiences such as groups for veterans or for people who have lost their spouse. 

If your parent is reluctant to talk to someone you might share your own experiences with how you or others you know have benefited from therapy. There is no shame in seeking help, and in fact, those who do are very brave. 

3. Change Things Up

While most older adults thrive on routine, it’s also important to have things to look forward to. Anticipation can be incredibly valuable, especially when the weather is bleak and the days are beginning to feel a bit monotonous.

You don’t need to plan anything big or expensive, but planning a small outing or a fun activity can help brighten the mood of your loved one and give them something to look forward to, which can be very beneficial for mental health. 

For indoor activities, you might consider something like setting up a movie night where you pop popcorn and set up a pretend movie theatre. You could even have a little door prize and set up a concession stand. 

Sometime else might be arranging an arts and craft table for your loved one to spend time at every day. You might work on creating a collage or painting some winter scenes. You could even get friends and family involved and at the end have a gallery presentation in the living room. 

The National Environment Education Program also talks about the many benefits that going outside has on one’s mental health, especially in regards to seasonal depression. Getting 5-10 minutes of sunlight every day can be important for balancing your mood and also making sure your body is following its proper circadian rhythm. If your loved one is mobile enough that might look like taking a short walk around the neighborhood, but if not you could set up chairs outside so that both of you could take in the sunrise or sunset. Just be sure to wrap them in lots of blankets and maybe provide them with a warm beverage as well!

If you are following the advice above and spending more time talking with them then that is a great opportunity to find out more about their interests, which you can use to help plan more enjoyable activities for them to look forward to and participate in. 

4. Take Care of Yourself

It’s hard to care for someone else when you are not feeling your best. That’s why it’s so important for you to prioritize your own health as much as you are prioritizing the health of the loved one you care for. 

At this point, we probably all know the things we should be doing to best care for our physical and mental health, but it’s never a bad thing to get a reminder. Plus, even if we know something is good for us, it doesn’t mean we’ll do it, so maybe let this be your nudge to take a look at your habits and make a change for the better in 2025. 

• Diet. The food we eat impacts almost every element of our lives. The University of Alabama tells us that while we know that poor food choices, such as those high in fat in sugar, can lead to weight gain and heart disease, many people still aren’t aware of how much food can affect our moods and mental health. While it can be very tempting to reach for that bag of chips or that delicious looking donut, doing so might be the reason you’ve been feeling grumpy or having so much brain fog these days. Of course, you don’t want to deprive yourself of all treats, but in general we should aim for eating a diet rich in protein, fiber, good fats, such as the ones found in fish and nuts, whole grains and lots of fruit and vegetables. Yes, you can still have that burger or cupcake, but try to limit indulgences to only two or three times a week.
• Exercise. Modern advice is that we should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate activity every day, with that exercise being a combination of cardio and strength training. And remember that is the minimum recommendation. Any excuse to move your body is a good one, whether that’s getting up to do a few stretches every hour, or parking a few blocks away from work so that you get a few extra steps in. 
• Sleep. Most people need 7-9 hours of sleep each night, but the stats for Americans are not good. Over 50 million Americains struggle with sleep disorders, which can have major impacts on your overall health. If you are having consistent trouble falling asleep or getting good quality sleep, then you should visit your doctor. And in general, try to sleep in a cool, dark environment and do your best to stay off screen for at least an hour before bed. 

5. Make Mental and Physical Wellness a Group Activity 

While you’re focusing on your own health, why not turn it into a team sport? Sharing your own goals for your wellness can be a great way to help emotionally support your loved one, as it can help give them the push they need to focus on their own health. Of course, your exercise or diet goals might look quite a bit different from what an older adult needs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dedicate time to the cause together. 

You might set aside time for both of you to get some exercise in, or commit to making healthier meals for both of you. Of course, always check in with your loved one and their medical professionals before making any major changes to their diet or lifestyle. 

You and your loved one can be accountability buddies for each other, with suggestions laid out by Forbes. This not only keeps both of you on track, but can also provide a sense of purpose for your loved one, which can be helpful for their mental health as well. 

Of course, how much you intertwin your goals will depend on the health of your loved one, but even if you do it on a small scale it can be a great way to boost each others’ moods and build camaraderie. 

6. Dig Deeper

Everyone has their own unique experiences and background, and there may be certain differences that could become increasingly challenging as your loved one ages. Even if they are your biological parent, there could still be many different hurdles and experiences that they faced in their lives due to their ethnicity, religion, sexuality or other factors that you might not have had to deal with in the same way due to your age or where you were brought up. 

While some of these issues you may already be aware of and sensitive to, you should never assume that you know everything about your parents’ experiences. Quite often, children don’t know nearly as much about their parents as they think. So get curious. Many older adults haven’t had the opportunity to process some of the challenges they faced, and, as they get older, some of those things might bubble to the surface in unexpected ways. Is it possible for you as a caregiver to educate yourself further on these topics so that you can connect with your loved one in a more meaningful way? 

Most people just want to be seen and understood, and so you can imagine how powerful it might be for you to do the research to show them how much you care about what they’ve had to go through in their lives. Sometimes this work can be painful, but quite often it is beautiful and enriching, and can help you understand your loved one on a deeper level. 

7. Build That Circle

Everyone tends to function a little better when they are surrounded by the people they love, but for many older adults, they might not have quite the social circle that they used to. Some of their loved ones might have passed, and it’s also very common for older adults to move to be closer to family, which can be good in one way, but can also take them out of a familiar environment and way from friends that they were used to seeing frequently. 

So, as a caregiver a great emotional support strategy can be to help your loved one connect with members of their community. This might be by helping to facilitate daily phone or video calls with family members or friends who are not able to visit in person. Or, you might connect your loved one with a community center that has specific programming for older adults. Humans need connection to survive, so help your loved one feel their best by making sure they are getting as many chances as possible to connect with others. 

Everyone is going to have difficult moments during the winter, but with the above tips hopefully they will be few and far between. Just remember to have patience, kindness and love, and fun, and before you know it you’ll be seeing the first blossoms of spring. 

While the image of a therapist’s couch in a cozy office might still come to mind, a new era of mental health counseling is dawning—one that utilizes technology to make support more accessible than ever before. Online therapy, once a niche concept, is rapidly becoming a mainstream solution, offering a wealth of advantages that are reshaping how we seek and receive help. A study comparing telehealth and in-person mental health care found no significant differences in reducing depressive symptoms between the two modalities, suggesting that online therapy is becoming a viable alternative to face-to-face treatment. 

So, What’s the Deal with Online Therapy?

Okay, but what is online therapy, really? Basically, it’s getting mental health counseling and help through your phone or computer. Think video chats, text messaging, or even cool apps. The best part? You can do it all from your couch – no more rushing through traffic or stressing about parking. Secure platforms protect your privacy, so you can feel good about that. It is a seriously flexible and convenient option.

A Fresh Take on Feeling Better: Is Online Therapy Right for You?

These days, it feels like everyone’s talking about mental health – and that’s a good thing! We’re all trying to navigate this crazy world, and sometimes, we just need a little extra support. But let’s be honest, traditional therapy can be a hassle. Maybe it’s tough to find a therapist nearby, your schedule is packed, or you’re just not comfortable with the whole idea of walking into an office. Whatever the reason, these hurdles can stop people from getting the help they desperately need. 

That’s where online therapy comes into the picture. It’s a newer, more accessible way to get support, and it’s really taking off across the country. Thinking about giving it a shot? Here’s the lowdown on why it might be a great option for you.

Why People Are Loving Online Therapy

• It’s Super Accessible: This is a big one. Remember when the pandemic hit? The American Psychological Association found that a whopping 96% of psychologists started seeing patients remotely, just to keep care going during those tough times. That really shows how online therapy can help bridge the gap, especially if you live way out in the boonies or have trouble getting around.
• It Can Be Easier on Your Wallet: Let’s face it, therapy can be pricey. But online therapy is often more affordable than those in-person sessions. A lot of platforms have payment plans and decent prices, which is awesome. Plus, insurance companies are finally starting to cover telehealth, so you might already have that benefit!
• It’s Comfortable and More Private: There’s something about being in your own comfy space that makes it easier to open up about tough stuff. I’ve heard from so many people that they actually feel more connected to their therapist online. A study from PubMed Central found that around 33% of people felt closer to their therapist during online video sessions compared to in-person visits. It’s kind of surprising, but it makes sense, right?
• Tons of Choices: When you go online, you’re not stuck with just the therapists in your town. You can find someone who really gets what you’re going through, whether it’s anxiety in old age, depression, or something else entirely.

Does Online Therapy Actually Work?

You might be thinking, “This sounds great, but is it actually effective?” The short answer is: yes! A study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research compared online therapy to in-person therapy and found they were pretty much equally good at helping with depression. Pretty reassuring, right?

And it’s not just patients who are seeing the benefits. Therapists seem pretty happy with it, too. During the pandemic, a study in Frontiers found that therapists rated its effectiveness pretty high – like a 7.45 out of 10. That says a lot about how well it can work.

And if you are still on the fence, listen to this: A study in Nature showed that less than half (44.5%) of people actually preferred in-person therapy or counseling. A good chunk of folks (25.6%) were into self-guided digital treatments, and almost 20% (19.7%) liked the idea of expert-guided digital therapy. People are definitely warming up to the online option!

It’s Not Perfect, But What Is?

Of course, nothing’s perfect. Sometimes the internet can be a pain, and dropped calls are definitely frustrating. And for therapists, it can be a little harder to read body language through a screen, which is important. Seniors, however, can pick up some of our tips on mastering technology.

Plus, there’s the whole legal thing – therapists need to be licensed in your state to offer mental health support, which can make things a little tricky if you’re looking outside your area. It is definitely something to think about.

The Bottom Line

Online therapy and counseling is changing the game when it comes to mental health in America. It’s accessible, affordable, comfortable, and it works. If you’ve been thinking about getting support but are hesitant about traditional therapy, online therapy might be the answer you’ve been looking for. If you want to become a counselor, cheap online masters in counseling degrees may be up your alley.

As we step into this new era of mental health support, remember that help is closer than you think. You’re not alone on this journey, and support is just a click away.

Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder, affects around 5% of US citizens every year. And, while 5% might not seem like a look when you are just looking at the percentage, when you put that into numbers that’s more than 17 million people! Of course, depression of any kind is a serious matter, but for older adults who might already be facing mental health issues and feelings of isolation, it can hit even harder. So, that’s why it’s so important for you to be able to understand and recognize the signs of seasonal depression in your parents so that you can get them the help they need. But, before we get to how you can address the symptoms of this condition, let’s make sure you fully understand which signs to look out for. 

Although some people get seasonal depression in the summer, it’s much more common in the fall and winter. While there’s no firm cause behind this, there are some solid theories. John Hopkins tells us that it is thought that the shorter days and decrease in sunlight may create a chemical change in our brains that could impact our mental state. It’s also been proposed that an increase in melatonin production, due to the increased darkness, could also be a contributing factor. 

Regardless of the reasoning behind it, the simple truth is that millions of people are struggling with this condition in the US every year, so, here are the signs to look out for. 

• Lack of interest in daily routine or activities they once enjoyed. While everyone has an “off” day from time to time, you’ll want to look out for signs that your parent seems be disinterested in life in general, even in activities that they typically look forward to. 
• Trouble concentrating. Your parent might be easily distracted and unable to stay on task or keep a conversation going. 
• Anxiety. Your parent might be fixating on their worries or seem particularly skittish. 
• Irritability. You might find that your parent is lashing out and having mood swings, or just seems much more grouchy than usual. 
• Sleepiness. If you notice that your parent always seems to be exhausted, even if they’re gotten enough sleep, then that might be a sign that they’re experiencing seasonal depression. Another symptom might be sleeping a lot more than normal. 
• Weight gain. This might go hand in hand with an increased desire for lots of heavy meals and sugary products. 

Of course, there might be other symptoms of seasonal depression that have not been listed here, but these are some of the most common symptoms that people experience. 

Now that you are aware of some of the symptoms that might be present with this condition, let’s get into how you can address this issue with your parents. 

First of all, it’s important to recognize that these kinds of symptoms can be the result of many different mental health conditions, or due to some changes in environment or lifestyle, that’s why the most important thing to do first is…

Ask Questions

It’s easy to assume you know what’s wrong with someone, especially if that person is close to you. However, you can’t truly know the truth unless you ask, so get curious about your parent and what has been going on lately. You don’t need to make this a serious intervention (unless you feel like the issue has gotten to that point), instead this can simply be a casual conversation over coffee. You might start by saying something like “I noticed that you seem to be extra tired lately, has anything been going on?” Of course, certain topics might be more sensitive than others, so maybe veer away from commenting on your parent’s weight or telling them that they’ve seemed grumpy, as that might result in them becoming defensive. Instead, make sure you’re coming from a place of genuine kindness and concern, and really listen to their answers. There might be a totally logical reason for their symptoms, like they’re tired from reading a really good book, or they’re grumpy because they had a cold or received some disappointing news recently. 

If there seems to be a reasonable explanation for their symptoms then simply keep an eye on it to see if they resolve, and if not then you might suggest that they consider visiting a doctor to see if they might be struggling with seasonal depression.

Encourage a Doctor’s Visit

While there are many treatments available to help with seasonal depression, most of them are only available, or best prescribed with the help of a medical professional. Every person who experiences seasonal depression is unique, so what might make a good treatment for one person is not necessarily going to be the best fit for someone else. Plus, it’s always a good idea to visit a doctor to make sure the symptoms your parent is experiencing really is seasonal depression, and not something else. And, the earlier your parent gets help the better, as the condition can worsen if left untreated. 

Once you have determined that your parent is indeed suffering from seasonal depression, and that there’s nothing else at play, you can look at how best to manage the condition. As mentioned above, a doctor is the best place to turn to first, as they will likely recommend some combination of the following strategies. However, some of the following treatments can be done without a doctor’s assistance, and are generally good health practices to follow no matter if you’re dealing with seasonal depression or not!

Light Therapy

Light therapy is basically the gold standard when it comes to wintertime seasonal depression. This means getting the most amount of sun possible, which can be tricky during the winter when the days are a lot shorter. 

In order to achieve this, try to get outside as early as possible, preferably before 11 am, and attempt to spend at least 30 minutes outside (although longer is totally fine) each day. Many people in the United States have a deficiency of vitamin D, which is a vitamin we get when our skin is exposed to the sun. This can affect our mood, our sleep and our body’s natural rhythm. Exposure to the sun also seems to reduce stress levels, boost the immune system and lower the risk of bone fractures! Not too bad for that big, old star!

This writer with Health experimented with having 15 minutes of dedicated sun time each day for a month and ended the experiment with an improved feeling of happiness. 

Of course, don’t forget to use sunscreen when enjoying the sun’s rays. 

Another way you can get the benefit of light therapy is through the use of a sun lamp or light box. These are light devices that are specifically designed to provide a light that will mimic the experience of sunlight so that you get the same benefits of the sun, but you can time your exposure to fit with your schedule. Light boxes can be very helpful to use in combination with sun exposure, in an area where there is very few hours of daylight, or in a place that might be too cold for you to be able to spend much time inside. While these can be very useful tools, it’s always advisable to consult with a doctor before use to find the right one for your needs, as well as when and how long to use it. The Mayo Clinic provides some good advice for what to consider when buying a light box. 

Eat Well

Remember how one of the signs of seasonal depression might be noticing your parent suddenly has quite the appetite for carbs and sweets? That’s quite a common symptom of depression, seasonal or otherwise. When we’re not feeling our best, it’s very easy to want to reach for the unhealthiest option, even if we know it’s going to make us feel worse. 

This becomes even more difficult when our sleep has been impacted, because when we’re feeling lethargic and low-energy we look to sugar as a comfort and an immediate boost of energy, even if we know it will come with a total crash a few hours later. 

While it can certainly be difficult to maintain a healthy diet while dealing with seasonal depression, it can be one of the most important tools at your disposal. You can help your parent by offering to meal plan or even prepare some of their meals for them. You can also run them through helpful ingredients for them to consider, such as the foods on this list by Everyday Health. Your parent might not make an overnight switch to a completely healthy diet, but even if they add in some extra vegetables and legumes it could make a huge difference to their mental state. 

Some handy tricks for adding in healthier foods is to prep a large batch of veggies at the beginning of the week so they can easily be tossed into different meals. Soups and stews are also very handy as you can pack in a lot of fiber and protein and you can freeze them in batches to be taken out when needed. 

CNET also talks about the important role that hydration plays supporting our mental health, so don’t leave that out of the conversation when talking about seasonal depression with your parent. Proper hydration can help with focus and keeping anxiety levels in check, plus it’s extra important to drink enough during the winter to help the body stay warm. Encourage your parent to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning, and maybe suggest they carry a water bottle with them throughout the day so they can keep track of how much they drink.

Get Social

One of the best cures to a blue mood is to surround yourself with people that make you smile. In fact, there’s actually some science behind how even just the simple act of smiling can turn around your mood. However, one of the best ways to smile naturally is by spending time with family and friends, so encourage your parent to get out there!

Being social is going to mean something different to everyone. Your parent might prefer to have a lowkey coffee date with a friend, or to simply surround themselves with others while taking in a movie or going to an aquafit class. Or, they might prefer a conversation group or going out to a busy mall to walk ad shop. Whatever they prefer, try to get them out to do it. Many people with seasonal depression tend to withdraw from others, which can make them increasingly isolated, which tends to make feelings of depression even worse, so try to guide your parent away from that path. You might even suggest a weekly outing with yourself. Maybe you invite them over for dinner or a board game night, or out to one of their favorite local spots. Humans thrive when they have purpose and are part of a community, so help your parent find that. 

Something else to consider is encouraging your parent to talk to a therapist, as they might be able to help your parent work through some of their concerns and even give them specific homework on how to manage their feelings. 

Movement

Another great way to keep seasonal depression at bay is by participating in consistent exercise. Just as those who are tired and sad are more likely to reach for sweets, it’s also very common for those same people to want to lie on the couch all day, or maybe not even get out of bed at all. 

Now, starting up an exercise routine when you don’t feel motivated is no easy task, so this article from Vice offers some great tips. These include setting realistic goals, and only participating in the kind of exercise you like. So, don’t try to impose your idea of what your parent should do on to them. If they love walking or dancing to hits from the 60s then that is the best kind of exercise for them to do right now. Any exercise is better than none at all!

Medication and Supplements

Finally, your doctor may suggest you take some kind of meditation or vitamin supplements to help alleviate some of your depression symptoms. Of course this is only something you should participate in under the advice of a doctor, so don’t run to the vitamin shop and grab a bunch of magnesium just because you heard someone else tell you that it worked wonders for them. 

When visiting the doctor let your parent know that they should be as open as possible about what they’ve been experiencing. It can sometimes feel embarrassing to be so honest, but it will be hard for the doctor to give them appropriate guidance if they don’t have the full story of how they’re feeling. Being transparent will help them get the help that they need. 

Seasonal depression is a challenging condition to deal with, but if you pay attention to your parent’s symptoms and get them the help they need there is no reason that they shouldn’t be able to get back to their normal self and start to thrive again. 

So, you feel like your parent could benefit from therapy, but you are worried about broaching the topic? Your fear is completely understandable. Although therapy has been shown to be remarkably effective in helping to alleviate mental health issues, according to Psychology Today there is still a lot of resistance to giving it a go. There are, of course, many different reasons for why some people are reluctant to try speaking with a therapist. This might come from a stigma they associate with seeking help. They might worry that others will look down on them or judge them. Your parent might also be in denial that they need any help or think that seeking out the support of a therapist might make them look weak. There are also worries regarding the cost, the work involved, and just a plain old fear of change.

It’s perfectly natural for people, especially older adults, to be scared of trying something new, especially something that they might have a lot of misconceptions about. But, if you feel that your parent could benefit from therapy then it’s well worth pushing against their reservations to encourage them towards something that could potentially be life changing. However, tackling this subject takes understanding and compassion, so let’s take a look at how you can best approach this subject matter without your parent shutting you down. 

Normalize

Before you bring up the subject with your parent, try your best to normalize therapy in your everyday conversations. This isn’t about being sneaky, but bringing it up casually might help it seem a little bit more normal to them, and maybe even a little boring! If you bring up the idea of them going to therapy and it’s something you’ve never spoken about before then they might feel a little blindsighted, but if it’s something you’ve mentioned occasionally then the idea of them doing it might not seem so bizarre to them. Who knows, you bringing it up might make them curious enough to look into it on their own!

A great way to normalize therapy for your parent is by talking about your own experiences with it, or the experiences of your friends. Of course this doesn’t mean sharing any sensitive information, only something you or the people you know would be fine sharing publicly. If you think your parent could benefit from therapy then it’s highly likely you think that because you yourself did, so why not share that with them? Sometimes people can feel cornered by someone else, and as though there is something wrong with them. By sharing that it’s something you have experienced and it’s been helpful with battling your anxiety, depression, or just working through a tough situation, then it might help your parent see that therapy isn’t something they have to be scared of. 

Another helpful way to normalize this subject is to talk about the celebrities who go to therapy. Many people look to celebrities for advice and trends, and for your parent, hearing that someone they admire has sought help might make them more inclined to do it themselves. You can find several articles that talk about which celebrities have spoken openly about therapy, such as this piece by Williamsburg Therapy Group.

Consider Time and Place

When thinking about sitting down with your parent for the conversation about therapy, you’ll want to plan out an appropriate time and place to do so. You should make sure you’re bringing it up in a private and comfortable environment so that they don’t feel attacked or unable to properly express themselves in response.

Talking to your parent in their or your home, while out for a walk, or in a private corner of a restaurant could all be good options. Also think about when you’re bringing it up. Are you pressed for time? Is your parent feeling particularly stressed about something? While you might be suggesting therapy due to stress, it’s still important to wait for a time when they’re more relaxed to bring up the topic. If they’re in a state of stress or panic it could be more likely that they get defensive and shut down your suggestion, whereas if they’re relaxed then they might be more open to the idea of trying something new. 

Regardless of where and when you choose to bring up going to therapy, you should have some sort of plan about how you’re going to talk to them about it. No, you don’t have to prepare a memorized script, but do have an idea of your rough talking points. This brings us to our next point…

Be Specific

There’s obviously a reason why you think your parent should go to therapy, and it’s important that you share that reason with them. It might be tempting to remain vague, and just say that you think therapy would be helpful to them in general, but if you don’t give them a reason then it’s much easier for them to question why you would be bringing it up in the first place. Of course, even if you give a specific reason that doesn’t mean there’s any guarantee that they’ll go, but at least they can’t claim there is no reason for them to! 

Language is particularly important here, as it can be easy for a loved one to become angry and defensive. When talking about sensitive subjects it’s very important to not get accusatory. Instead, talk about the impact their actions have on you and why you think they would benefit from therapy. For example, saying “I worry that you have seemed withdrawn recently, and I think therapy could help you get back to enjoying the things you love” would probably go over much better than saying something like “you’ve been super antisocial and I hate that!” One is coming from a place of worry and kindness, while the other, even if coming from the same place, reads as much more judgemental. 

 Of course, you know your parent best, so you are probably already aware of the kind of communication they respond best to, but it’s still important to prepare. Write down some of your concerns and how you want to address them. If nothing else, your parent will probably appreciate that you have been worried enough to bring up your concerns. Everybody wants to know that people are thinking about them. 

Do Your Research

If you want your parent to get into therapy then it would be a wise idea to do some research on the topic so you can provide them with resources. Sometimes an older adult might be open to the idea of seeking help, but they don’t want to do the work to find that help on their own, so having all the information readily available to them can be incredibly helpful. 

By referring your parent to a site like Total Life, you can help them see just how easy reaching a therapist can be. Total Life offers countless qualified therapists who specialize in dealing with the unique issues that older adults face, like difficult life transitions and grief. Looking at the options on the site might also help put some of their fears, such as what it will cost, to rest. Total Life can offer up to 100% coverage to those enrolled in Medicare. 

Of course there are also other options, such as in-person, group therapy, and even some more diverse options such as animal therapy. Reach out to your community and ask at local recreation or senior centers to find out what is available in your area. Then, you can present your parent with a few pamphlets or websites for them to look at in their own time. 

Bringing resources for your parent shows them that this is something you care deeply about and have spent some time on, and could help them take your suggestion more seriously. 

Reframe the Conversation

Anyone who’s stuck in the idea that going to therapy is weak or will result in them being judged is probably going to be resistant to even talking or thinking about their mental health. But what if you could get them to think about it as just another form of selfcare. Because that’s exactly what it is!

Talk about all the ways your parent keeps up with their health or appearance, or even the appearance of their home. For example, most people bathe regularly, which is showing care for one’s body. The same is true for brushing one’s teeth to avoid cavities, or brushing one’s hair to avoid knots. Shaving, putting on hand lotion, laundering clothes, tidying one’s room and doing the dishes – those are all part of caring for oneself and are a form of self love and self care. So, why doesn’t the mind deserve the same kind of love and attention? 

Our brains work so hard for us! They control our thoughts, movements, memories, digestive system and even the beating of our hearts! Doesn’t such a hard worker deserve some support? 

If you can get your parent to see caring for their minds as just another form of maintenance, like taking their car to the mechanic, then it might be easier for them to accept the idea of getting help. 

Accept Their Timing

If therapy is something scary to your parent, or something they’ve never ever thought about, then it’s very unlikely that they are going to rush out to sign up. Instead, it’s much more likely that this is a conversation that you might have to bring up again and again. Be gentle and keep it brief, but be persistent, remembering to stay specific and focused on how to bring it up in the most supportive way.

There may even be a time where you have to give it a rest. You can’t force someone to get help, no matter how much they might need it, so if you sense that they are getting too frustrated or overwhelmed with your suggestion, then you might want to drop the subject and bring it up another time. Everyone moves at their own pace, and you have to respect that. 

Get Curious

Sometimes people might be struggling with their mental health and not even realize it, so asking your parent questions about how they’re feeling can have a powerful impact. 

This is a great way to start up a conversation therapy, but can also be useful if your parent is pushing back against the idea. Ask them if they are happy with how their life is going, and if there is anything that they would like to be different about how they’re feeling. Sometimes this is all it takes for someone to realize that they are always waking up tired, or that they feel generally disinterested in doing much with their day. Most people aren’t going to be happy with that, but they might need to be asked the question for them to really take an in-depth look at their life. 

It’s crucial that you take this as an opportunity to listen and not judge – this is not an “I told you so!” moment. Your parent is likely to feel emotional and maybe even ashamed at this realization, so try to just be supportive and appreciative that they’re willing to share something so vulnerable.

What Else Can You Offer?

The last suggestion we’ll leave you with today is to think about how else you can support your parent on their therapy journey. You might suggest that the two of you attend therapy together, or you could offer to take them to appointments the first few times so that they don’t feel so nervous when heading somewhere new. Here are a few other ways that you could offer support to your parent when they’re starting out on their mental health journey. 

• Buy them a journal. A journal is a great place to write down one’s thoughts and emotions, and might even be a good starting place for your parent if they don’t feel ready to visit a therapist just yet. WebMD tells us that journaling can help with emotional regulation and can ease symptoms of anxiety.
• Offer to meet with them after their therapy appointments to give support. Maybe plan a regular coffee date or something like an exercise class to help them process their emotions in a healthy way.

Of course it’s important to only offer what you feel capable of providing to your parent. If you make a promise and then aren’t able to keep it then that could be damaging to an already fragile situation. Be very clear with your boundaries and what help you are able to give. You can also ask your parent what would be helpful to them as they might have some ideas that you hadn’t thought of. But again, just be mindful of your limits. 

Even if your parent does agree to go to therapy, change doesn’t happen overnight, so don’t forget to be patient. Older adults have had a lifetime to build up their habits and beliefs, so you can’t expect them to suddenly become a brand new person with no anxieties. But, with a little bit of patience and kindness, you can help them find a little bit more balance and joy, week by week.

Though hobbies are often seen as simple ways to pass time, they can actually have incredible benefits! For older adults, these benefits can be especially impactful—by picking up a hobby or two, you can improve your cognitive clarity, health, and overall quality of life by quite a large margin. 

While these benefits vary by hobby and circumstance, there are several positives that most hobbies can offer. Perhaps most notable for older adults are the benefits for your health. As you grow older your health will naturally start to deteriorate, which can result in serious health issues; these in turn can cause a great deal of stress, which can lead to poor mental health and a loss of cognitive clarity. Therefore, it’s important to take care of both your physical body and your mind—and luckily, your hobbies can help. Studies have suggested that participating in hobbies can reduce the risks of developing several diseases, including heart disease, strokes, and certain types of cancer, increasing your longevity and helping to reduce stress. They can also improve your overall quality of life by alleviating symptoms of mental health conditions including depression and anxiety.

On top of this, having certain kinds of hobbies—particularly those which involve active mental and physical engagement—can aid in memory retention, prevent cognitive decline, and even reduce your risks of developing dementia. According to the National Institute on Aging, having variety in your hobbies is crucial for achieving these results, meaning that even if you have a few solid hobbies already, it can be highly beneficial to try out a few more!

Choosing a Hobby

How you go about choosing a hobby is really up to you. For some, you may have an idea of what interests you, or what you might like to explore further. For others, you may have had a hobby for a while but gotten bored of it, or you may simply be looking for something new to spice up your life. Whatever your situation, a good way to start is by examining your current interests and your goals for the future. 

Your goals may be oriented around your mind; things like improving your mental clarity, strengthening your memory, and reducing stress levels are all examples of this kind of goal. If this is the case, try to focus on hobbies that engage your creativity and include active learning—in other words, hobbies that involve learning something new. Take some time now to come up with ideas for yourself. What are you interested in, but haven’t gotten around to trying out yet? What new skills would you like to learn? Are there any forms of creative expression that you would like to try?

As mentioned in the beginning of this article, your physical health has a direct impact on your mental health. For this reason, even if your goals are centered around your mind, picking up hobbies that improve and engage your body can directly benefit your cognitive health. Try asking yourself some of the following questions to get yourself thinking about physical hobbies: Do you want to target your strength, endurance, flexibility, or work on all of the above? What physical limitations might you encounter? What physical activities are most interesting to you?

You may also have goals relating to your social life, or perhaps your spirituality or religion—things like wanting to meet new people, or looking for ways to feel closer to your faith. These goals can also help to keep your mind sharp; for example, one NCBI study found that social isolation and loneliness increased one’s risks of developing dementia by up to 60%. Emerging studies have also linked spirituality with improved mental health—in an NPR interview, one psychologist shared that those with meaningful spiritual lives were 80% less likely to develop addictions and depression. Therefore, engaging in hobbies that nurture your social and spiritual health can directly improve your cognitive health. With that in mind, take some time to brainstorm hobbies that impact these areas of your life. What hobbies might get you out of the house more? Are there any hobbies that directly relate to your faith, your friends, or any other personal goals?

If you are able to come up with a list of potential hobbies, that’s excellent news! Now, you can start researching and trying things out to see if any are a good fit for you. If coming up with hobbies is tricky—we’ve definitely put you on the spot here—that’s fine too. The rest of this article will provide you with some suggestions, which you can expand on or modify as needed.

Learn New Skills

Some of the best hobbies for mental clarity are those which involve learning new skills. In fact, staying mentally active through continued learning has been directly linked to higher levels of cognitive clarity, with one particular Mayo Clinic study concluding that “lifetime intellectual enrichment might delay the onset of cognitive impairment (and) reduce the impending dementia epidemic”. 

Luckily, there is no shortage of interesting new things to try. If you have been meaning to get better at using technology, you might try playing computer games to improve your keyboard skills, start an online blog, or try out digital forms of preexisting hobbies, like drawing or playing card games. Other ideas for new hobbies include cooking, dance, photography, playing a new instrument; you might also try making new forms of art through sculpture, painting, or gentler art forms such as finger painting, collage-making, scrapbooking, or clay modelling. The possibilities are truly endless! The trick is to find an activity that you are interested in, and that will offer you learning opportunities. Even just going to a museum and listening to a guided tour can get your brain moving!

Practice Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness can make the process of aging significantly easier—this includes not only your cognitive clarity, but also your overall mental, physical, and spiritual health. One mindfulness activity, meditation, has been linked with decreased stress, relief from symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduced inflammation, diminished chronic pain, a better spiritual life, and much more. Meditation is also great because of just how accessible it is; you don’t need any special equipment, and it can be done from anywhere, at any time. The most common form of meditation involves nothing more than closing your eyes and focusing on your breath! If this piques your interest, don’t hesitate to try it out! Meditation is a highly beneficial hobby to pick up, and there are plenty of guides on how to start. 

If meditating isn’t really your thing, there are many other mindfulness activities that can offer similar positives. One such activity is journaling. When you hear the word “journaling”, you likely picture something along the lines of sitting down at the end of the day to reflect on your day, or writing entries in the morning to plan for the day ahead. But, while these are both perfectly valid forms of journaling, it should be noted that they are not the only forms. You might choose to reflect on other things, such as things you are grateful for or worries you may have, or keep a one sentence journal where you write just one thought per day. Just like meditation, journaling can be made your own, making it an accessible and adaptable hobby; you could even pair it with other forms of self-reflection, like habit trackers and to-do lists. If you are interested in starting to keep a journal, you can find templates online, visit your local stationery shops, or even try making your own journal using an old notebook—this can be a particularly rewarding process, as it allows you complete freedom over the layout, style, and content.

Move Your Body

Exercise can feel daunting as an older adult, particularly if you struggle with mobility issues or chronic pain. That being said, maintaining a certain level of physical activity is crucial for the health of both your body and mind; for example, a review of research by the National Library of Medicine found that exercising was positively correlated with improved cognitive scores, including in those with dementia and other mild cognitive impairments. This means that even though it may be challenging, it is in your best interest to stay active for as long as possible.

Luckily, there are many different ways to stay active, many of which can be adapted to suit your individual needs. As a general rule of thumb, adults aged 65 and older should be aiming to get 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, combining both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises. For those without major physical limitations, this could look like going to pilates, dance, yoga, or weight-training classes, taking brisk walks, or swimming at a local pool. If you are looking for gentler forms of exercise that place less strain on the body, you could try seated exercise classes, tai chi, aquatic fitness (also known as aquafit), or low-impact yoga. The most important thing with exercise is to find a form that feels good for you—if you love it, you’re much more likely to stick with it.

As a final note, remember to both warm up and cool down before exercising. Doing dynamic stretches (stretches that include movement) before you start exercising, as well as static stretches (where you hold the stretched position) after you finish, can greatly reduce the strain on your body and help to maintain joint and muscle health. This can also help to prevent injuries, which can have significant negative effects on your mental state. Remember—a healthy body means a healthy mind!

Try Gardening

One of the single best hobbies for seniors is gardening. While it may seem like a pretty sedentary activity, gardening can actually help to increase your mobility, dexterity, and endurance; whether you’re picking up a pot, digging soil, or spreading mulch, your body actually does a fair amount of moving. If you garden outdoors in your yard or on your balcony, the exposure to sunlight also gives you vitamin D, an essential nutrient which promotes bone and immune system health. Just don’t forget your sunscreen! 

There are plenty of mental benefits to gardening as well. Numerous studies have shown that exposure to greenery—whether that be through photos, views from windows, nature walks, or indoor plants—has a clear positive effect on the mind. In fact, indoor gardening has even been used in the treatment of mental health disorders. Gardening in general has also been reported to “delay the symptoms of dementia”, according to a 2018 NLM article. Watching your plants flourish also brings a strong sense of accomplishment, further improving your mental state.

If the climate you live in is mild, gardening outside is an excellent hobby to try out. If you have access to a yard, balcony, or porch, you can start by growing hardy flowers such as peonies, hardy geraniums, and lavender, or vegetables like kale, beans, and peas. If you have a hard time staying crouched or bent over, investing in raised planter beds can make this hobby more accessible to you.

Even if you don’t have access to an outdoor space, growing houseplants can be an easy way to bring some greenery into your life. Depending on which direction your windows face, you may want to get plants that are okay in low light; generally, succulents such as snake plants and aloe vera will thrive with little fuss.

Get Social

Staying socially active is one of the best things you can do for your mental clarity. In a 2023 article by John Hopkins Medicine, social isolation was highlighted as a key contributor to dementia, with a 27% increase in dementia risk being seen in socially isolated older adults. Because of this, it is crucial to find ways to interact with others on a regular basis. Hobbies are an amazing way to do this, as they create common ground, and therefore a base for connection and friendship to be built on.

One simple way to meet others is by attending events and classes relating to your hobbies. This might look like cooking classes, dance lessons, photography events, choir or music performances, or anything else that sparks your interest. You might also try attending introductory classes for a new hobby that you’ve just started, or even teach a seminar on a preexisting hobby of your own—teens and young adults are often interested in anything “retro”, so your old habits might be a big hit! Passing on the knowledge you have accumulated throughout your life can also help to bring all generations of your family together; you could try to make a habit of hosting a family gathering each month to swap hobby knowledge, stories from your pasts, recipes, and more. You might just inspire someone to pick up a new hobby of their own.

If you want to get involved in your community, you could make a hobby of volunteering with local organizations. You might help out people in need by serving food and organizing clothing drives, or clean up your neighbourhood’s green spaces with a group of your friends. Being generous with your time and effort will not only make a difference in the lives of others, but also in your own; research has revealed that showing generosity has a genuine positive effect on mental health, producing feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. 

Final Remarks

From volunteering to mindfulness, there are numerous hobbies that you can participate in to improve your cognitive clarity. It may take some time to find the hobbies that work best for you, but this is completely natural. Trying out new things is highly beneficial anyway, so any time or effort spent on finding the right fit isn’t wasted. Try to imagine that finding your next hobby is your hobby, and enjoy the process!

Holiday season can be a lot of fun! The sparkling lights, warm family dinners, and cheesy Hallmark movies bring a feeling of cheer and joy like no other. However, this time of year can also feel lonely—especially if you’re living alone, or can’t get out like you used to. No matter the reason, it can be very difficult to see everyone feeling the joy while you’re feeling down. While anyone can struggle with holiday blues, the unfortunate truth is that older adults are often most affected.

Luckily, even though it may be hard to see, there are ways to make your holidays feel brighter. With an open mind and willingness to adapt, you’ll be surprised at just how many ways you can make changes for the better.

Common Challenges

Many things can cause you to feel down during the holidays. As an older adult, life can feel harder in general as a result of your aging body, even outside of the holiday season. Joint problems, mobility issues, and health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and chronic pain can all add up and start to weigh on you; this in turn can impact your mental health, and can lead to conditions like depression and anxiety in severe cases. For example, according to the National Institute on Aging, people with other medical conditions, sleep problems, and those who are socially isolated—all common in older adults—are at a greater risk of developing depression. Add in the dark and gloomy weather of winter, and these feelings can become overwhelming.

The weather can also make it harder to get outside for purely practical reasons. As temperatures grow colder, you may need to deal with ice, snow, rain, and other hazardous conditions. For those who have fallen in the past, or those who have osteoporosis, this can be an especially big concern, and may prevent you from going out as much as you would like to. This, paired with the age-related challenges mentioned earlier, can lead to the first common challenge: isolation.

The second common challenge is past memories. While many of you likely have fond memories of holidays past, these memories can also feel bittersweet. Perhaps you’ve lost a loved one, and Christmas just doesn’t feel the same without them. You may have also moved to a new place and therefore be feeling uprooted from your usual holiday traditions and events. No matter your circumstance, nostalgia can be both pleasant and painful.

Similarly, holiday staples such as gift-giving can also feel both heartwarming and stressful. If you have retired, it can make spending money a bit more of a balancing act than it may have been in your earlier years. Even if you’re still working, it is natural to feel anxious about your spending, whether it be on decorations, food, or presents. This season certainly places a lot of emphasis on lavish displays of wealth! If you live far away from relatives and family members there may also be pressure to visit for the holidays, which can amplify financial stress. 

No matter your challenge, be it finances, mobility, weather, or something else, making simple changes can usually make a surprisingly big difference.

Overcoming Isolation in Person

But what exactly are these small changes? How can you improve your holidays without sacrificing your traditions? Let’s start with the first common challenge for older adults, which is isolation.

Since isolation can cause or worsen conditions like depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, it is very important to prevent it. To do this, you’ll need to find ways to stay connected with others—luckily, that’s what this season is all about! You may have family traditions like gingerbread house competitions, or a specific concert that you go to each year, which can be great ways to bring people together. In case you don’t have any traditions, or are looking for more inspiration, we have put together several suggestions below.

If the weather is looking nice, going outside to look at Christmas lights can be a fun, low-key outing. Be sure to bundle up as temperatures can drop quickly, especially at night. If you’re hoping to avoid the chill, you could try pairing the walk with a warm restaurant dinner, or a mug of hot chocolate at a local cafe. You might also choose to drive instead of walking, if the temperatures are especially brisk. Just make sure that your driver keeps their eyes on the road!

If you’re hoping to get out of the house but don’t fancy getting food or looking at decorations, you could try a holiday concert! In larger cities, there are usually plenty of options to choose from; a quick search on Google or a browse through your local newspaper can point you in the right direction. If you live in a more rural area, many concerts have an online live streaming option that can allow you to view from your own home! Gathering a few of your friends and watching the show, in person or virtually, can help to bring festive cheer back into your life.

For those of you who prefer to have a cozy night in, try gathering your loved ones to make holiday bakes and crafts. Some ideas include shortbread cookies, gingerbread (bonus points if you make houses with them!), Christmas pudding, or any other baked good that puts you in a festive mood. You can also bake your cookies or gingerbread ahead of time, and then host a cookie decorating party—if you have young grandkids, this can be a great way to bond with them. If you’re more of a crafter than a baker, you might try making some ornaments, wreathes, or handmade cards for your family and friends. The world is your oyster!

In an ideal world, we would be able to see our loved ones whenever we wanted to; however, this is unfortunately not the reality for most people. As an older adult, you may experience this more than others, especially if you have any health issues or are living in a retirement home. Your schedule may also not align with your family members or friends. You may even live in a completely different area of the world! Whatever the case, if meeting in person isn’t feasible, you may want to look into virtual calling platforms. Some examples include Zoom, Google Meet (a great option as it is linked to gmail, which you may already have), and Skype, all of which are free. If you aren’t very tech savvy, you could try to get a loved one to help you out next time they come over, or enlist the help of a neighbour. After setting things up, do your best to call people as much as possible, even if you aren’t very comfortable with technology yet. Practice may not make perfect, but it definitely makes things easier.

Dealing With Past Memories

As an older adult, your past memories may also become a challenge for you. Holidays often come with many associated memories, which can be both joyful and painful. As you grow older, you may also start to experience a loss of memories; conditions such as Alzheimer’s can make previously cherished memories blur and fade, leading to an overwhelming sense of loss. However, just as with other challenges, there are ways to make this easier for you.

If you are struggling with lost or faded holiday memories, going back to your time honoured traditions might just make things a little clearer. According to University of Florida Health, participating in familiar activities can offer you a sense of stability, reduce anxiety, and improve feelings of disorientation. Whether it’s baking your special holiday cookies, listening to your favourite Christmas song, or eating dinner with your family, including these traditions in your holiday activities can offer comfort during these overwhelming times.

Reminding yourself of positive past memories can also help you to reminisce in a positive way. Family photo albums, home videos, scrapbooks, diaries, and similar things can all hold many previously forgotten memories. Looking at pictures from specific trips or years can also help to sharpen fuzzy memories! As you go through these, you may also be able to recall stories to share with your family and friends, which is a great way to bond and pass on your valuable knowledge.

Even if your past holiday memories are not sources of joy, it doesn’t mean that you cannot make new, more positive memories now. Beyond hanging out with your loved ones, you might also try giving back to your community through volunteer work. Many churches will host Christmas lunches to support unhoused or low-income persons, which can be a great way to spread kindness and cheer during the holidays. If you knit, crochet, or sew, making warm hats and scarves for those in need may also be an option. No matter the cause you choose to support, generosity will always be in season!

It is important to note that it is natural to experience feelings of loss, disorientation, and sadness due to past memories. Allowing yourself to experience these emotions as they come and accepting them can actually help you to feel better in the long run. Consequently, holding back these feelings and forcing yourself to feel cheerful can lead to a worse mental state. This is not to say that intense, intrusive, or highly distressing thoughts should be ignored—far from it. If your negative emotions are disrupting your day-to-day life, you may have a more serious condition. If you are struggling, always seek help through qualified mental health professionals.

Overcoming Financial Stress

The final common challenge that we have touched on is financial stress. As mentioned above, holidays often place a lot of emphasis on gift giving; but sometimes, the best thing you can give is the gift of time spent together with those you love. While opulent displays of affection are often praised, holidays should be about connecting with others—try not to lose sight of that.

However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t give gifts! Giving someone a personalized present can be a great way of showing how well you know them and how much they mean to you. If you enjoy giving presents to your family and friends, but are working within a tighter budget, try creating handmade gifts from things you already have. This also has the bonus of making your gifts feel more special, since putting in the work to create a gift can make it much more meaningful than simply buying it. If you do any kind of crafting—knitting, crocheting, painting, sewing, etc—try putting those skills to use! Chances are that you already have a stash of supplies, meaning that you’ll be less likely to have to spend lots of money. If you do need to get some supplies, try to create a budget and stick to it. Get creative if you have to!

Even if you don’t consider yourself an artistic person, there are several other ways that you can make your own gifts. For example, if you have a few special recipes that you’d like to pass on to your children or grandkids, you could make a recipe book or set of recipe cards. With an unused notebook, some cardstock, or simply a hole-punch and some yarn, you might just start a family cookbook that will be passed down for generations to come. And, if you have some artists in the family, you could turn the process of making the recipe book into a bonding moment by inviting them to add their own personal touches. Another example is gifting propagated plant cuttings, if you happen to have a green thumb. Though these gifts may not seem like much, they might just turn into cherished family heirlooms down the line.

Another big money-sink during the holidays is travel. If the majority of your family lives out of state, you may be expected to make the trek out to see them, which can quickly eat up your budget. Whenever possible, having family members visit you instead of going out to visit them can greatly lower the strain on your wallet. However, this isn’t always possible. Maybe your child just had a kid of their own and doesn’t want to travel with a newborn, or your nieces have other plans that they can’t cancel; there are many, many reasons why things might not work out. If your budget is tight, joining family events virtually can ease financial stress while still giving you that crucial connection with your relatives. While this isn’t the ideal situation, it can help to give you a bit more money to work with. If you play your cards right, this might even help you to make the trip out to see them in person next year.

Otherwise, doing some odd jobs to make some extra money can give you some more financial freedom. Many online sites have lists of potential earning opportunities for older adults, including this one by Indeed. Some highlights from this list include tutoring, working as a consultant, and doing freelance work with your past experience. If you have retired, you likely have a fairly impressive resume with lots of work experience—why not put it to work?

Final Remarks

While they can be beautiful and full of joy, the holidays can be a tricky time of year—especially as an older adult. Whether you are dealing with loss, social isolation, tighter budgets, or anything else, it is important to understand that you are not alone. There are many ways in which you can start to turn things around, like participating in accessible activities, going virtual, and switching your focus from presents to presence. In the end, remember: the holidays are not about the food, or the gifts; they’re about building connection, giving love, and spreading cheer so that everyone can feel it.

Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. From YouTube videos to online forums, live-streams to grocery delivery, we have been transported into a new digital age. While younger people who have grown up in this age may have little trouble, it can be difficult to navigate for those not accustomed to technology. 

However, this difficulty is outweighed by the many rewards of using tech. For older adults in particular, investing the time and energy required to become comfortable with technology can have a huge positive impact, from your social life to personal growth. Many activities traditionally done in person have expanded online, one of which being telehealthcare. Though getting started with online healthcare can seem daunting, with the right knowledge and toolset this can become a valuable resource for anyone, no matter their age.

Bridging the digital divide

Often, it can feel like there is an unbridgeable gap or divide between those who “can” and “cannot” use technology. This is especially the case for older adults, where factors such as affordability, lack of training, and accessibility issues can prevent you from engaging with modern technology. Despite this, there are several strategies that can be implemented to help you develop, hone, or perfect your technological skills.

The factors at play

The first step to achieving technological prowess is understanding what factors are holding you back. For older adults, a common factor is simply a lack of access to technology. You may not have your own device, or have an older model that does not support many features. You may also be dealing with age-related issues including hearing loss, decreased vision, cognitive decline, or the loss of motor skills. All of these are natural parts of growing older, but can definitely become hindrances with newer technologies, which are often designed with a younger audience in mind. 

The impacts of this divide

Also important to understand are the impacts that this digital divide can have. Specifically for elders, feeling disconnected from technology can lead you to feel disconnected from friends and family, as well as society as a whole. Watching the younger generation be tuned in to their phones all day can be quite isolating when you don’t know how to join in, and can lead to a loss of connection with family members. 

Alongside this, the digital divide can limit your access to doctors and healthcare information. An increasing number of scientific papers and journals are only posted online, meaning that the internet is becoming essential in staying up to date on the latest developments in healthcare. In addition, if you are living in a remote area or have mobility issues, getting to doctor’s appointments can be made significantly easier with online options—a lack of access to these services can cause health issues to go unresolved.

Benefits of bridging the gap

On the positive side, these previously mentioned issues can be turned into benefits when you’ve learned to use technology. By bridging the digital divide, you will be able to immensely increase your social circle, feel better connected to family, and improve access to helpful healthcare services—all while improving your brain’s health.

Social life

Using the internet is a fantastic way to connect with new people. With just a simple Google search, you can find clubs, events, and social groups for just about every topic or activity; there truly is something for everyone. Platforms such as Facebook and Meetup often have an assortment of events listed, with the ability to search by area, activity, and skill level. As we age, our social circles tend to grow smaller—learning to use technology can allow you to open yourself to experiences that you wouldn’t have otherwise. 

Learning to use technology can also be a great bonding opportunity for you and your family. It can feel difficult to relate to your younger relatives, as times have changed so dramatically in the past few decades. Having common experiences of struggling with technology or exchanging tips can really bring your family together again. Some hobbies, such as playing chess for example, can be moved into the digital world; you might try organizing times to play against each other online or over a video call as a way to interact with family more often.

Healthcare

Having access to the internet also opens up a whole world of possibilities in terms of healthcare. Options to attend doctor’s appointments virtually can also lower your risks of exposure to hospital-acquired infections, which can be particularly detrimental to those who are older. In a review by the National Library of Medicine, it was noted that the immune system becomes dramatically weaker after the sixth decade of life. While a variety of measures are taken to minimize viral spread, the risks of catching something are still quite high when visiting a doctor in person, especially for those with weaker immune systems. If you are an older adult, consulting a doctor virtually can help to negate your risks of exposure.

Cognition

Learning new skills has been proven to improve your brain’s health. According to the Central Connecticut State University, learning new things has been shown to increase myelin growth on nerve axons. Myelin acts as an insulator for nerves, and so having more myelin allows our neurons to improve the speed of their signaling. Interestingly, this is especially true for older adults, so there is no reason to think that you are “too old” to learn new things—it’s actually quite the opposite! Myelin growth is also particularly effective when new experiences are repeated, meaning that the action of practicing technology use is a fantastic thing for your brain’s continued development.

Starting your technological journey

Now that you know the benefits of learning to use technology, chances are that you would like to start. However, it’s also likely that you’re unsure of where to begin. Using the following tips can help to get you on the right track!

Talk to family

As mentioned earlier, getting your family involved when learning technology can be a fantastic way to bond and connect with relatives, especially those who are younger. You might consider setting up weekly or biweekly visits to tackle tech problems or find new pages to save and bookmark—which is an incredibly useful feature—as a way to catch up and reconnect. 

Having your family present when starting out can also be helpful for adjusting settings to suit your needs. For those with accessibility needs, such as vision or hearing loss, there are a number of settings which you might want to check out. These include things like font size, contrast, and caret navigation, and can make your device easier to use. If you have a touch screen device, using a stylus may also help as age can cause dry fingertips, which are harder for the device to recognize.

Try online courses

Whatever the reason, some of us do not have family who we can rely on for help. If that is the case (or if you simply want to supplement your learning) there are courses both online and in person that are dedicated to helping older adults with tech. These can also be great ways to meet and connect with new people or, if you are content with the friends you currently have, can be done with people you already know.

Practice regularly, and be patient

Just as any other skill, becoming comfortable with using technology requires patience, time, and practice. Try setting aside time each day to practice, even if it’s just for 15 minutes or so—the key here is consistency, not duration. Practice also does not have to be painful either! Playing a game like solitaire, chess, scrabble, or doing puzzles online can be a great way to get practice in while still having fun.

Telehealth: what is it?

Once you are comfortable with using tech, you will be able to reap the rewards! As mentioned before, there are many great uses for tech; one of the most useful applications of technology for older adults is telehealth.

Telehealth is a broad term which encompasses any healthcare that is provided remotely, using technology. There are several types of telehealth, which can be organized into three main categories: synchronous, asynchronous, and remote monitoring.

Types of telehealth

Synchronous telehealth involves live communication between the patient and the healthcare provider. This can range from audio-visual video calling to text-only messaging, based on what the patient prefers, and what the situation may be—for example, synchronous video calls are used to assess acute (sudden) conditions, while synchronous text messaging may be used to treat chronic (long term) conditions and provide resources. Synchronous telehealth also includes scheduled appointments, such as online therapy sessions.

While synchronous telehealth happens in real time, asynchronous telehealth does not. As a result, according to the US government’s Telehealth Guide, asynchronous telehealth is “often used for patient intake or follow-up care” rather than immediate treatment. These services can be used to send and store vital information, such as photos, laboratory results, and past medical histories. As you grow older, it is common to accumulate a long history of past medical issues or procedures; being able to input these details on your own time without worrying about appointment length can be very beneficial.

The third main type of telehealth is remote monitoring, or the use of digital monitoring devices to keep track of a patient’s health. This is a subtype under the asynchronous telehealth umbrella and does not involve live patient-provider communication. Rather, the data is collected and transmitted to the provider who can then look over the results with or without the patient. These remote patient monitoring devices can be especially helpful for older adults, as they can help to keep tabs on chronic conditions like high blood pressure, kidney diseases, heart issues, and other conditions which become more common as you age.

Applications of Telehealth for Older Adults

While telehealth is beneficial for just about anyone, it can be an especially helpful tool for older adults. As the World Health Organization explains, “aging results from the impact of the accumulation of a wide variety of molecular and cellular damage over time (leading) to a gradual decrease in physical and mental capacity (and) a growing risk of disease”. These elevated risks of disease directly translate to an increase in doctors visits, appointments, and procedures—which then lead to elevated risks of exposure to hospital germs, general fatigue from commutes to the hospital, and other unpleasant effects. 

While telehealth cannot immediately alleviate chronic pain symptoms or cure diseases, it can lower the stress of travelling to and from your appointments. Being able to contact your doctor to ask questions can also put your mind at ease quickly.

Utilizing telehealth: what to expect

While telehealth is designed to be as transparent and easy to use as possible, it is natural to have reservations about starting something new. Below, we have outlined what to expect before, during, and after a routine telehealth appointment.

Before your appointment

Not all healthcare can be administered virtually. If you have not heard about telehealth already, try asking your doctor whether telehealth would be an option for you. If it is, your next step is to begin coordinating with them to set up an appointment; this can be done during an in-person appointment or from your own home. 

If this is your first time setting up an appointment from home, consider having a caregiver or family member there to guide you through the process. It may also be helpful to have them present for the first few sessions, until you are comfortable with setting them up on your own. After you have joined successfully, they could stay in the room or leave if you wish. As with any doctor’s appointment, you will likely need to discuss sensitive topics, such as depression, anxiety, or physical ailments; having them leave the room may make this easier. On the other hand, having a trusted family member, friend, or caregiver may make this easier. Take some time to figure out what you would like to happen, and be sure to communicate this with everyone involved before the appointment starts.

Certain changes can also be made to suit your accessibility needs. For those who have hearing loss, some programs have a “speech-to-text” option which can provide live captioning during audio calls. If you have visual impairments, audio-only calls will work well, and should you want to look at something on the screen, changing the display settings to “high contrast mode” can help to make things more distinguishable. 

During your appointment

Appointments can range from 10 minutes to an hour long, depending on your needs—a quick check-up will naturally be shorter than a detailed therapy session. On average, sessions are likely to be around 15 minutes, but this can usually be adjusted to fit your lifestyle. 

The appointment itself should be very similar to an in-person visit to a doctor. Your provider will assess any complaints you may have, discuss treatment options, and create a treatment plan for you. Sometimes, they may request you come in for testing or lab work, or request that you send them a picture of a particular area. For example, if you have a rash, they may ask for a better look by using a close-up photo. 

After your appointment

After your appointment, you should receive a post-appointment message of some kind from your healthcare provider. This can be via email, text, or phone call, and will usually include a summary of the appointment, resources, and any next steps to follow. For those with sensory impairments, you should be able to request that resources be sent in an accessible format—print, email, video, etc—to ensure that you are able to look through them without issues.

A final note on internet safety

While the internet is full of fantastic resources, services, and people, there are also many malicious scams and fraudulent services that aim to gain access to personal and financial information. Unfortunately, many of these will directly target elderly people, as you are less used to technology and more vulnerable to manipulation.

Common tactics include phone scams, where scammers will contact you and pretend to be from a trusted source, like a bank, and ask for personal details such as account information or passwords. This can also happen by email or text messages. If you are ever unsure of the legitimacy of an email—especially if it contains links, which can be used to infect your computer with malware—contact your family or caregivers to have them double check. It’s better to be safe than sorry! 

Above all, remember that practice makes progress—not perfection. If you suspect that you have been scammed, or are having issues with anything else, you should never feel ashamed. In fact, asking for help might just be the key to your future technological success.