Ask Helen

Loneliness During The Holidays Isn’t An Option AtA Retirement Community

BY Helen Shaham

Q.Each year my siblings and Igather at our parents’ home for theholidays. This year, due to work andscheduling conflicts my brothersand I are unable to visit. We’re especially worried because this willbe the first holiday season ourparents will be without us. Momand dad are in their mid-80s andhave few friends in their condominium. I’m consideringtalking to them about moving to aretirement community but I’m unsure if this will be a better solution. What types of activitiesare scheduled at senior communities to help residents whomay feel alone during the holidayseason?

A.Moving your parents to asenior living community is a greatway to beat the holiday blues—forboth you and your parents. Momand dad will be in a community surrounded by new friends and acaring staff. You and your siblingswill have the piece of mind knowing that your parents are notalone.

As families face increased demandson time and longer distances fromloved ones, gathering together forholiday festivities may becomemore difficult. The most importantthing, however, is to discuss thechange in holiday tradition withyour parents and look for signs of achanges in appetite.

At The Palace Suites IndependentLiving Community, our residents’families know that there are numerous activities scheduledthroughout the year, especially during the holidays so residentsnever feel alone. We realize that notunlike the reasons you mentionedfor being away this holiday season,many families are unable to visittheir loved ones so we schedule awide range of events. There’s always something for everyone.

For example, after enjoying the traditional Palace Suites Thanksgiving Day Brunch, TheCrimson Dames—our community’sversion of the Red Hat Society—will be participating in a huge community service project. Carepackages containing personal hygiene items will be packed anddelivered to Camillus House fordistribution.

In December, The Palace Suites celebrates Chanukah withChanukah Happening, featuringKlezmer music and treats. The community’s menorah lighting isanother great way for residents togather with friends and neighbors.Residents will bring their personalmenorah for daily lightings helpingto celebrate the spirit and warmth ofthe season.

A wealth of activities scheduled byour Entertainment Director PamelaKalis Parker eliminates lonelinessas an option. Residents who lookforward to intergenerational activities will be in for a specialtreat when 50 students, ages 3-16,participate in our Christmas Celebration. Santa Claus also willmake a special appearance, bringing gifts for the young andold, as residents enjoy cookies andeggnog.

community’s playhouse is transformed into a Las Vegas showroom. “Viva Las Vegas” features showgirls and the comedy ofAndy Corridori. A special guest star issure to have residents breaking the“what happens in Vegas…stays inVegas” rule as they excitedly tell family members about the magicalevening of fun.

The holiday season can be an especially lonesome time of year foreveryone. For older adults living in asenior retirement community, the support of others who may also beaway from their families and lovedones offers reassurance and supportand makes the holidays less stressful.

Once mom and dad move into thenew community, they will still missthe joys of having you and your siblings at home for the holidays. Butif the senior living community is anything like The Palace Suites, youmight have a hard time catching upwith them to hear them say it.

Helen Shaham and her husbandJacob have een operating retirementcommunities for nearly 30 years. ThePalace Suites in Kendall is a luxuryIndependent Living Community foractive seniors. In addition, ThePalace at Kendall campus is home totwo Assisted Living Residences and a Nursing & Rehab Center. They also operate The Palace Gardens ssistedLiving Community in Homestead,Homestead Manor Nursing Homeand The Palace @ Home, a MedicareCertified Home Health Agency. Theirtwo newest projects are The Palace atWeston – luxury living for those 55and over, and The Palace Tel-Aviv, acontinuing care retirement communityin Israel. They have two communitiesunder development – The Palace atWeston Senior Living and The Palaceat Coral Gables. More informationcan be found on the company website,www.thepalace.org or by calling 305-270-7000.