INDUSTRY INSIGHT
SENIOR CARE
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Home for the Holidays: Why This Season Often Reveals a Need for Care
The holidays are a time for joy, connection, and reflection— a season filled with laughter, traditions, and time spent together. But for many families, these gatherings can also reveal changes in loved ones that might otherwise go unnoticed during the year.
Maybe your mom seemed more forgetful than usual, or your dad struggled to prepare the meal he once made with ease. Perhaps you noticed unopened mail, expired food in the refrigerator, or a home that wasn’ t as tidy as before. These small details can point to a larger truth: your loved one may need more support.
At Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, we often see an increase in calls after the holidays. It’ s no coincidence— extended family time provides a clearer picture of how an older adult is really doing dayto-day.
Why the Holidays Reveal So Much Brief visits or phone calls often mask underlying challenges, but days spent together make it easier to spot changes in:
• Memory and cognition – repeating questions, forgetting names, or confusion in familiar places.
• Physical health – weight loss, bruises, mobility issues, or medication difficulties.
• Mood and behavior – withdrawal, sadness, or increased anxiety.
• Daily routines – struggles with cooking, bathing, cleaning, or managing finances.
These signs can be difficult to see, but they also present an opportunity— to talk, to plan, and to ensure your loved one’ s safety and comfort.
Taking the Next Step with Compassion Recognizing that loved ones need help is never easy. Yet it can also be the first step toward improving their well-being and quality of life. The holidays naturally lend themselves to meaningful, loving conversations about the future.
As you reflect on your visit, ask yourself whether your loved one is safe living alone, is emotionally and socially thriving, and if a more supportive environment could enhance daily life.
If these questions raise concerns, remember that you don’ t have to navigate this journey alone.
Senior Care Providers are Here to Help
From in-home support to personal care and memory care, there are flexible options to help older adults live fully and safely, wherever they are on their journey. An approach that focuses on the individual honors each person’ s dignity, preferences, and unique needs.
For more than 95 years, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network has been dedicated to enriching the aging experience for older adults and their families across western Pennsylvania. As a nonprofit, faith-based organization, we are committed to Making Aging Easier ® through compassionate, person-centered care. Rooted in faith and a deep sense of service, we see ourselves not just as care providers, but as partners and advocates— helping families find peace of mind during times of change.
This holiday season, trust your instincts. Let your observations open the door to care and connection. Noticing the need for help isn’ t the end of a chapter— it can be the beginning of a better one.
To learn more about care options and supportive services, contact Presbyterian SeniorCare Network. Visit srcare. org or scan the QR code.
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