As we get older we often reminisce on the stories our elders have shared with us over the years.  We all remember Grandma and Grandpa telling us how things were when they were growing up, Grandpa telling us what he could of the war or even Mom & Dad sharing that funny story of how they met in high school.  What we didn’t realize at the time was that these stories not only created fabulous memories for us, but they provided a therapeutic outlet for our storytellers.  In a world where everything has gone digital, the art of storytelling is more important now than ever.

Seniors have always loved storytelling.  Their stories unveil a piece of history because they are filled with their life experiences and culture. This creates a way for them to connect with us while encouraging active speaking and listening skills. A good story ignites the imagination and allows the listener to develop his/her own mental images of the story.  We often choose to read “the book” over watching “the movie” for this exact reason.  The bottom line is our seniors need storytelling in their lives to remain healthy.  Studies have shown that parents/grandparents look happier, appear stronger, sound more confident & are healthier when they actively engage in storytelling.  This could be as simple as sitting down over a cup of coffee with a grandchild and talking about an old family tradition.  Or even a stranger taking five minutes to sit down next to an elderly woman at the bus stop and asking her about the blanket she is crocheting.

Many communities believe in and embrace storytelling amongst seniors.  One community in Philadelphia, PA has a weekly Senior Storytelling Day.  Once a week these seniors get together to laugh, reminisce and share their stores. Click here to watch a sample of what they do.  Because of its health benefits, storytelling is also used as therapy in Alzheimer’s patients.  While different from traditional storytelling, reminiscence therapy invites a person with Alzheimer’s to exercise her long-term memory by encouraging her to share positive recollections from younger days. Especially in the earlier stages of the disease, she may still remember with astonishing clarity events and people from childhood and young adulthood. Old photo albums, mementos, and music are common tools used to generate this type of conversation.

As we enjoy the holiday season with our friends & family lets take a moment to share some stories of our own and encourage our loved ones to do the same.  Watch as the storyteller comes to life and the joy on their face as they share a piece of themselves with you!  It just may be the best gift both of you receives this year.

JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE ALL THE WAY…. For most of us the holidays are filled with fun, excitement and laughter, but for many of today’s seniors it can be a time of sorrow and loneliness.   For some, it can simply be a case of the holiday blues but for others, it can trigger a depressive or stress related event.  We all have senior family members or friends that we love & care for, some may live with us, some on their own or many in a retirement community, assisted living or skilled nursing facility.  Regardless of where they are, it’s helpful for us to be aware of certain factors so that if we are/or have a senior loved one in our life we can offer assistance to help them cope.

Many different issues can be attributed to holiday depression & stress. Situations including the loss of a spouse, the loss of friends, or the distance & separation from one’s family can all be contributing factors.  In addition, illness or the illness of a spouse can affect the ability to celebrate the holiday season as they once did.

Signs of Depression or Holiday Blues:

• Sadness
• Fatigue
• Abandoning or losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable pastimes
• Social withdrawal and isolation (reluctance to be with friends, engage in activities, or leave home)
• Weight loss; loss of appetite
• Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, oversleeping, or daytime sleepiness)
• Loss of self-worth (worries about being a burden, feelings of worthlessness, self-loathing)
• Increased use of alcohol or other drugs
• Fixation on death; suicidal thoughts or attempts

The following strategies may help seniors to cope by alleviating or preventing these feelings so that they can enjoy the holiday season:

• DO NOT ISOLATE YOURSELF! If you cannot be with family, invite friends or neighbors over.
• Volunteer YOUR TIME! Helping others is a great way to forget your own troubles.
• AVOID ALCOHOL as it is a depressant and can intensify feelings of sadness.
• SHARING IS CARING! Do not keep your feelings inside.   Sharing your thoughts can help you to feel better.
• WATCH YOUR FINANCES $$ Be care of overspending as this can cause stress.  Remember the grandchildren will not remember the gift as much as they will remember it is you.

Sources not linked above: seniorhealth.about.com/od/mentalemotionalhealth/a/holiday_blues.htm MedicineNet.com