December 4, 2024
Season's greetings to our friends, family, and Greater Austin community. Meals on Wheels Central Texas wants to thank it's supporters for helping us deliver essential, life-enriching care and resources to older adults and people living with disabilities in our region.
This holiday season, we had a special visit from a jolly friend to help spark the festive spirit. No stranger to the act of giving, Santa Claus arrived ready to support the team in its mission of delivering care that empowers our neighbors to age in place, in the comfort of their homes, with dignity and independence.
Although the year meets its end, our efforts to end hunger and reduce social isolation among our Central Texas neighbors carry on. Did you know that the holidays can be a particularly lonely time for older adults and people living with disabilities?
We know that our community is passionate about our cause. With that, let's work together to reach our neighbors and offer them care, company, and safety that can help boost holiday spirits all around.
Causes of Holiday Loneliness Among Older Adults
Older adults can face increased loneliness during the holidays for a variety of reasons. Although no two individuals share the same experience, below are some common causes of loneliness among older adults and individuals living with disabilities.
Social isolation. Neighbors who have lost loved ones or live at a distance from family and friends can face social isolation if not connected with the community.
Changed traditions. Holiday traditions can fade in time, especially when living alone. This can cause a sense of nostalgia and even sadness around this time of year.
Travel limitations. Older adults who do not drive, have limited access to transportation, or have age-related conditions that limit travel can all experience increased social isolation. Home visits to our neighbors can be the sole form of human connection that they have in a day.
Volunteering with Meals on Wheels CTX can help you connect with neighbors to make meaningful holiday memories for everyone involved.
Ways to Boost Holiday Joy for Older Adults
Want to help our neighbors brush away the holiday blues? You can spend time with Meals on Wheels Central Texas and deliver hot, nutritious meals and friendly safety checks to neighbors. Afterall, there is no gift quite like giving back!
Below are some more ways to help neighbors feel cared for this holiday season.
Take initiative. Take time to plan a visit with a neighbor or a loved one. If you live at a distance from them, phone calls and video chats can be a great alternative way to connect.
Embrace traditions. You can create a more inclusive holiday with simple gestures like putting up festive holiday decorations or baking something alongside an older adult.
Check in. Older adults and people living with disabilities can experience sadness, grief, and even depression if lonely. Holding space for conversations around feelings can help them feel less lonely.
MOWCTX volunteers offer a moment neighbors truly appreciate and look forward to! Grab your family and friends and join us in a home-delivered meal visit. Or plan a holiday gift with Meals on Wheels Central Texas, to help support the broad range of individualized services we offer for our neighbors.
Meals on Wheels Central Texas offers more than a meal. Along with home-delivered meals and meals served at our Congregate Lunch Sites, we also assist with home repairs, in-home care services, grocery delivery, and pet care. Explore our programs for neighbors today!
Photo Credit: Weston Carls