HJNO Nov/Dec 2025

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  NOV / DEC 2025 45 Melissa Brunvoll Marketing Director Assisted Living and Nursing Care Lambeth House For many residents, the ability to share tra- ditions with friends in the community can offset the absence of family and create new sources of meaning. Technology is also an increasingly im- portant tool in combating holiday isola- tion. Virtual gatherings, video calls, and telehealth counseling sessions enable older adults to maintain contact with fam- ily and access professional support, even if distance or mobility limits in-person vis- its. When paired with the daily rhythm of community life, these tools can sustain a sense of belonging that reduces the emo- tional toll of the season. For healthcare providers, the holiday season offers both a challenge and an op- portunity. It requires providers to look beyond the immediate medical needs of their older patients and to consider the emotional and social dimensions of their well-being. By asking questions about how an individual plans to spend the holidays, listening to cues about loneliness or grief, and connecting them with community resources, providers can help transform a potentially painful season into one of connection and care. Moreover, by en- couraging families to explore the benefits of continuing care communities, clinicians can help ensure that their patients have ongoing support networks that extend far beyond December. Holidays remind us that health is not only measured in lab results and clini- cal outcomes, but also in the quality of human connection. For older adults, the presence of companionship, meaning- ful traditions, and a supportive environ- ment can be as critical to well-being as any medical intervention. As we move into the winter months, medical professionals are uniquely positioned to recognize the un- seen weight of holiday loneliness and to offer solutions that affirm dignity, foster connection, and strengthen resilience. In doing so, we honor not just the season but the humanity at the heart of senior care. n REFERENCES J. T. Cacioppo and S. Cacioppo, “The Growing Problem of Loneliness,” The Lancet 391, no. 10119 (2018): 426, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140- 6736(18)30142-9. K. Gerst-Emerson and J. Jayawardhana, “Loneliness as a Public Health Issue: The Impact of Loneliness on Health Care Utilization Among Older Adults,” American Journal of Public Health 105, no. 5 (2015): 1013–19, https://doi.org/10.2105/ AJPH.2014.302427. “Social Isolation, Loneliness in Older People Pose Health Risks,” National Institute on Aging, April 23, 2019, https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social- isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health- risks. C. M. Perissinotto, I. Stijacic Cenzer, and K. E. Covinsky, “Loneliness in Older Persons: A Predictor of Functional Decline and Death,” Archives of Internal Medicine 172, no. 14 (2012): 1078–83, https://doi.org/10.1001/ archinternmed.2012.1993. M. L. Smith, L. E. Steinman, and E. A. Casey, “Combatting Social Isolation Among Older Adults in a Time of Physical Distancing: The COVID-19 Social Connectivity Paradox,” Frontiers in Public Health 8, no. 403 (2020), https://doi. org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00403. outcomes if not addressed proactively. Caregivers, both professional and fami- ly-based, also experience significant pres- sure during this season. The expectation to create a “perfect” holiday experience often adds to the already heavy emotional and logistical demands of caregiving. Burnout is common, and without adequate support, caregivers may struggle to provide the lev- el of presence and compassion their loved ones need most. As healthcare profession- als, recognizing caregiver strain and guid- ing families toward respite resources can be just as critical as direct patient care. Despite these challenges, there are meaningful interventions that can reduce the weight of holiday loneliness for older adults. Simple steps, including screening for depression or social isolation during seasonal check-ins, encouraging atten- dance at group activities, or recommend- ing community-based programs, can make a tangible difference. For those who live in continuing care retirement com- munities, the holidays can present oppor- tunities rather than obstacles. Communal dining, seasonal events, and organized celebrations offer built-in pathways to connection. These environments provide a protective buffer against the risks of isolation by ensuring that older adults are surrounded by peers, staff, and caregivers who recognize their presence and value. “Holidays remind us that health is not only measured in lab results and clinical outcomes, but also in the quality of human connection.”