Faced with tough economic times and an uncertain future, depression among seniors in Oklahoma is poised to increase during the holiday season. There are more than 450,000 seniors 65 and older in Oklahoma; an estimated 20 percent of them will experience some degree of depression-related symptoms, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It is important to keep holiday expectations reasonable,” said Dr. Miriam Thompson, family practice physician with Generations Healthcare. “Warning signs of depression include sadness, fatigue, social withdrawal, loss of appetite and sleep disturbances.”

Seniors are particularly susceptible to depression during the holiday season due to loneliness, loss of mobility and frustration with financial limitations, according to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation. Despite this, there are practical things that can be done to stay active and enjoy this year’s festivities.

Volunteering time at a charitable organization will occupy some of the spare moments and make an impact in the life of someone else, Thompson said. Other good ideas include reaching out to make new friends or reconnecting with someone you haven’t talked to in awhile. The social interaction will help eliminate feelings of loneliness and make the Christmas spirit contagious.

Generations Healthcare recommends the following tips to head off holiday stress and depression:

• Acknowledge your feelings. If a loved one has recently died or you aren’t able to be with your loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness or grief.

• Seek support. If you feel isolated or down, seek out family members and friends, or community, religious or social services. They can offer support and companionship.

• Be realistic. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Hold on to those you can and want to. But accept that you may have to let go of others.

• Stick to a budget. Before you go shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend on gifts and other items. Then be sure to stick to your budget. If you don’t, you could feel anxious and tense for months afterward as you struggle to pay the bills.

• Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make one big food-shopping trip.

• Learn to say no. People will understand if you can’t do certain projects or activities. If you say yes only to what you really want to do, you’ll avoid feeling resentful, bitter and overwhelmed.

• Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do.

• Rethink resolutions. Don’t resolve to change your whole life to make up for past excess. Instead, try to return to basic, healthy lifestyle routines. Set smaller, more specific goals with a reasonable time frame.

• Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings past for several weeks, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

GENERATIONS HEALTHCARE is a Medicare Advantage health plan that offers comprehensive benefits to Medicare beneficiaries in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. The plan serves Oklahoma, Canadian, Cleveland, Lincoln, Pottawatomie, McClain, Logan, Seminole and Grady counties. For more information about Generations Healthcare, call 810-3500 or visit www.generationshealthcare.cc.