A group of older Gainesville women decided to act independently to combat the possible holiday blues by organizing their own trip to St. Augustine to view that city’s famed “Nights of Lights.”
The Facebook group Wise Women of Gainesville posted a notice welcoming those who wanted to jointly rent a bus to see the light display, drive them around the city, and then bring them home, so they could create their own holiday celebration.
National Geographic places “Nights of Lights” among the world’s top 10 holiday light displays, with millions of tiny white lights strung up, illuminating the city. It’s magical, mystical, and sometimes overwhelming because of the heavy traffic, bearing crowds of people making the trek to St. Augustine.
But Tony Dale Davila, 72, wanted to go anyway. So, Davila, a recent transplant to Gainesville, organized the outing.
“I wanted to go to St. Augustine and didn’t want to go alone,” she said. “Somebody asked why we didn’t arrange a road trip of our own. If you do it, I’ll go.”
Davila did just that and got 19 people to sign up for the trip.
“I had heard that the nights of light were amazing, and I had never seen them,” she said. “But I also liked the camaraderie of getting together with friends.”
Sandy Kaiser, 66, and Frances Downs, 69, recently joined the group. Kaiser said the trip struck her as a “fun thing to do. All I had to do was sign up.”
Downs said she is striving not to be lonely, something she realized one day while playing a motivational recording.
“It occurred to me that I could just lie here and listen, or I could get up and do something about it,” she said. So, she did, and beyond the St. Augustine adventure, Downs now organizes a group lunch every third Saturday.
The pressure is really on this year as Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa coincide. The first night of the eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah starts the same day as Christmas, and Kwanzaa, an annual celebration of African American culture, follows a day later.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) notes that while the holidays are a time of celebration for many, the constant emphasis on festivities can increase stress and strain our mental and physical health.
Amanda Krisher, associate director for behavior health at the NCOA’s Center for Healthy Aging, cited a 2023 American Psychological Association poll that found 41% of adults report increased stress levels during the holiday season. Some 64% of people living with a mental health condition say their conditions worsen around the holidays.
“Self-care and stress reduction are possible during the holidays, like all year, via healthy habits that include learning to say no,” Krisher writes. She offers other tips, including “being realistic, writing your feelings down in a journal, volunteering, and asking for support.”
Alachua County’s Senior Recreation Center, which falls under the umbrella of ElderCare is “deeply committed to supporting seniors throughout the holiday season, a time that can be especially challenging for those who are home-bound or feeling isolated,” said Nicholas Hauzer, manager of the Senior Recreation Center and Volunteer Services.
“Our annual holiday drive is a cornerstone of this effort, delivering holiday cheer through personalized goodie bags for our home-bound clients, ensuring they feel remembered and cared for,” he said. “We also offer a variety of special programs designed to foster connection and reduce feelings of loneliness. From grief support groups to winter wonderland celebrations and holiday sing-alongs, we create opportunities for seniors to come together, share in the joy of the season, and build meaningful connections.”
There have already been numerous holiday activities at the facility, including a Winter Wonderland celebration offered by Guardian Home Care, which provided attendees with food, music, and a chance to win prizes by playing carnival games.
Guardian owner and CEO Terry Griffis, says 2024 brought the second holiday party hosted by his group at the center. He acknowledged with a smile that some of his motivation is personal.
“Honestly, it gets boring sitting behind a desk all the time. It makes us so happy to get out and interact with the community and the people we serve,” he said. “It’s such a happy time of year, but it can still be hard for people if you have lost loved ones or if, for some reason, you are a little bit alone.”
Another home healthcare agency, Touching Hearts at Home, will sponsor a holiday sing-along at the Senior Center on Dec. 20 with hot cocoa and treats. That event starts at 3 p.m.
“The holiday season can be incredibly isolating for seniors without family nearby and/or those experiencing health challenges and changes,” said Christina M. Ramos, executive director and administrator. “Helping seniors overcome holiday loneliness aligns with our mission and values at Touching Hearts at Home. We believe in enhancing the quality of life for the seniors we serve, treating them with dignity, and ensuring they feel valued.”
Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy drew attention to the devastating impact of loneliness and isolation for seniors. His report, released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, showed that solitude can prompt a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults, as well a 60% risk of premature death. And for some, it can get worse over the holidays.
Stephen Golant, a University of Florida professor emeritus specializing in gerontological or aging research, said the burden falls on our society as to why older people might feel lonelier during the holiday season.
“If you live in the United States, you are constantly bombarded by advertisements that emphasize the holiday season is one for spending time with family members and friends,” he said. “So, people who are at more risk of feeling alone get the commercial messages that they are more likely to be alone during the holiday season. The preconditions for loneliness don’t change, but older people are more reminded that they lack emotional support during the holiday season. This is sad but part of the reality.”
The Wise Women Facebook group follows the prescription laid out by aging expert Star Bradbury, author of the book “Successfully Navigating Your Parents’ Senior Years.”
“Research shows if you are going to age well, you have to say connected with friends or family,” Bradbury said. “Remember that life goes on, and you can find some beauty somewhere in your day. Maybe it’s the sunset light, your children calling you, or your friend remembering your birthday. It could be a little thing that goes a long way in cheering you up.”
Editor’s note: This is the latest story in Mainstreet’s award-winning Aging Matters series. It was independently reported by Ronnie Lovler and underwritten by Elder Options.
