At this time of year, many of us are already gathering, or thinking about gathering, with our families or friends to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, or the New Year.  As well as a time of expectation and excitement, it may also be the only time of year that we see loved ones who live across the country or the globe. Whether you are traveling or welcoming friends and family into your home, coming together provides a wonderful chance to share memories, to exchange stories—and to check-in on how everyone is doing.

Don’t miss the opportunity that the holidays can afford to check-in with your older family and friends.  It’s one of the best holiday gifts you can give them—and yourself.  I recently attended a listening session with the Leadership Council on Aging, a national leadership coalition of 66 non-profits focusing on age-related policies and solutions.  A few participants stressed that good intergenerational communication can have an extremely positive effect on everyone’s well-being. 

Her are some suggestions.  Talk to older loved ones about how they’re getting along, and let them know how you’re doing.  If visiting an older relative or friend, together take a look at their home. AARP has a Home Assessment Checklist that can identify issues.   Talk about any transportation concerns.  Find out if there’s anything they want to discuss.  If your loved one is having difficulty with the activities of daily living, help may be available.  The Eldercare Locator is a good starting point for finding services and supports.The holidays, although often joyous, can also be a stressful and frenetic time, so we all should do what we can to maintain and enhance our health.  Healthy Aging is one of the four main focus areas of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging, and research tells us that all of us may need the active support and engagement of loved ones to enjoy the best health possible.  Take this opportunity to ask your older loved ones about their current health issues and concerns; you may also learn something about your own health history and issues.   

Some people suffer from the holiday blues.  While depression is not a normal part of growing older, older adults are at increased risk and are often misdiagnosed and undertreated.  The CDC offers a variety of web resources to help. 

When you’re together, you and a loved one may also want to check out Medicare’s Blue Button. It’s a great tool to assist you and a family member or friend in keeping track of doctor’s appointments, medications, and test results.  Blue Button provides an easy way to download personal health information to a file; it’s safe, secure, reliable, and easy to use.  Being able to quickly access health records in an emergency can be a lifesaver, and the ability to electronically access and use health records can: