Finding Connection During the Holidays: Supporting Older Adults Through Isolation Approx. 15 minutes | November 2026 Host: Guy Atchley | Guest: Julie Hansen, Sales Director Vista Pointe at Green Valley Welcome and introduce the topic GUY: The holidays are often described as joyful, but for many older adults, this time of year can also bring loneliness, grief, and change. Today we’re talking about how families can recognize those feelings and how connection—including the support available in a senior living community—can make a difference. Joining me is Julie Hansen, Sales Director at Vista Pointe at Green Valley. Julie, welcome. JULIE: Thank you, Guy. I’m glad we’re having this conversation. The holidays can hold wonderful memories, but they can also highlight who is missing, changes in health or mobility, or the fact that family traditions look different now. The most helpful starting point is to listen and remember that each older adult’s experience is unique. Why the holidays can feel difficult GUY: Why might the holiday season be especially hard for some seniors? JULIE: There are several reasons. Someone may be grieving a spouse, sibling, friend, or another loved one. Family members may live far away or have demanding schedules. Driving at night, getting around safely, or managing winter weather can make gatherings harder. And when familiar traditions change, a person can feel the loss of a role or routine. The season’s emphasis on togetherness can make being alone feel even more noticeable. GUY: What are some signs that an older loved one may be struggling? JULIE: Families may notice that a loved one is withdrawing from calls or activities, seems persistently sad or anxious, has lost interest in things they used to enjoy, or is eating or sleeping differently. One sign by itself doesn’t tell the whole story, and grief can come in waves. Approach with curiosity rather than judgment: ‘I’ve missed talking with you. How have you been feeling lately?’ 3:10–5:10 | Practical ways families and neighbors can help GUY: What can listeners do if an older adult is spending much of the holiday season alone? JULIE: Make connection specific and predictable. Instead of ‘We should get together sometime,’ try ‘Can I call you Tuesday at six?’ or ‘Would you like me to bring lunch Saturday?’ Include them in traditions in ways that feel manageable—sharing a favorite recipe, looking at photographs, decorating together, attending a service or concert, or joining a short visit. Ask what they would actually enjoy; not everyone wants a busy celebration. GUY: What if family can’t be physically present? JULIE: Short, regular check-ins can mean a great deal. A phone call, video chat, voice message, mailed card, or coordinated visits among relatives and neighbors can create a rhythm. Help with practical barriers too—transportation, hearing or vision needs, technology, meal access, or making a home safer. And please don’t make promises you can’t keep. A dependable 10-minute call may be more comforting than a big plan that falls through. How senior living can reduce isolation GUY: How can living in a senior living community benefit older adults who are facing isolation? JULIE: A community can make everyday connection easier. Residents have chances to share meals, meet neighbors, participate in activities, enjoy music or celebrations, and build relationships with staff and other residents. There can also be more structure to the day and fewer logistical hurdles to joining in. For someone who has been eating alone or going days without conversation, those small, regular interactions can be meaningful. GUY: Does that mean a community is the right answer for every senior who feels lonely? JULIE: Not automatically. Some people thrive at home with the right supports, social opportunities, transportation, and regular contact. Others may welcome the companionship and services a community offers. It’s important to visit, ask questions, and consider personal preferences, care needs, costs, and the culture of the community. Moving is a major decision, and it should be made with the older adult—not simply for them whenever they can participate. What the holidays may look like in community GUY: What can a resident expect during the holidays at a community like Vista Pointe at Green Valley? JULIE: The goal is to offer welcoming opportunities, not pressure. Seasonal meals, decorations, music, group activities, and time together can help people create new traditions while honoring old ones. We want residents to feel included whether they’re outgoing, quiet, celebrating a particular holiday, or simply treating it as an ordinary day. A familiar song, favorite food, or chance to tell a story can open a door to connection. GUY: How do you help someone who has recently moved in and may be missing home? JULIE: We start by getting to know the person—their interests, routines, important relationships, and what feels comforting. We can invite them to an activity or meal, introduce them to someone with shared interests, and give them time to settle in. Families can bring meaningful photos or familiar items and maintain their usual calls. It’s normal for adjustment to take time; we don’t expect someone to feel at home overnight. Food, routine, and social connection GUY: We’ve talked about companionship. What role do meals and routines play? JULIE: Meals can be about much more than food. Sharing a table may encourage conversation and create a daily point of connection. Regular routines can also make the day feel more grounded. Good nutrition matters at every age, and appetite, hydration, medication effects, dental concerns, and health conditions can all affect eating. If someone has persistent appetite changes, unintentional weight loss, swallowing concerns, or signs of dehydration, it’s worth speaking with a healthcare professional. GUY: Any simple ideas for listeners who want to make a holiday meal more welcoming? JULIE: Keep it comfortable and flexible. Offer a quieter spot, manageable portions, foods the person enjoys and can safely eat, and enough time. Invite them to help in a way that suits them—setting napkins, choosing music, or sharing a recipe. The goal is inclusion, not making someone feel tested or overwhelmed. Grief, caregiver stress, and asking for help GUY: What would you say to someone whose first holiday comes after losing a spouse or close loved one? JULIE: There is no single right way to grieve. Let them talk about the person if they want to. Ask whether they’d like to keep a tradition, change it, or skip it this year. Avoid trying to cheer them up or insisting they join every activity. Sometimes the kindest support is sitting together and acknowledging, ‘I know this is different, and I’m here.’ If sadness becomes overwhelming or continues to interfere with daily life, encourage them to talk with a healthcare provider or grief counselor. GUY: Caregivers can feel stretched thin during the holidays, too. What should they remember? JULIE: Caregivers need support as well. It’s okay to simplify plans, share tasks, accept help, and set realistic expectations. If care needs are becoming difficult to manage safely, explore options early—respite, in-home support, adult day programs, or senior living—rather than waiting for a crisis. Asking for help is a responsible step, not a failure. A practical holiday connection plan GUY: Can you give families a simple plan they can start this week? JULIE: Absolutely. First, ask the older adult what would make the season feel good—or less difficult. Second, schedule a few dependable check-ins or visits. Third, choose one meaningful activity that fits their energy and interests. Fourth, look for barriers such as transportation, hearing, mobility, or meal access and address one at a time. And fifth, check in afterward: ‘How did that feel? Would you like to do it again?’ Small, consistent efforts add up. Closing GUY: Amy, thank you for helping us think about the holidays with compassion and practical ideas. JULIE: Thank you, Guy. I’d leave listeners with this: connection doesn’t have to be elaborate. A visit, a shared meal, a familiar story, or a reliable phone call can remind someone they matter. And if you or a loved one is feeling isolated, reach out—to family, neighbors, local aging services, a healthcare provider, or a senior living community to learn what support may fit. GUY: That’s Julie Hansen, Sales Director at Vista Pointe at Green Valley. Thanks for joining us on KGVY, and may we all make a little more room for connection this holiday season..
