Holiday Blues in Nursing Homes

As we get deeper into the holiday season, most people feel a sense of cheer and excitement creep in. For residents at nursing homes, the holidays have the potential to be one of the most depressing times of the year. News 25’s Kendra Turley caught up with staff members at Boyington Health Care Facility to see what they do to lift spirits during the holiday season.
The Christmas season can bring plenty of joy and celebration, but it can also lead to the holiday blues for those living in nursing homes. Boyington resident Allen Pickens said, “Every now and then, no what matter whether you’re here or wherever you are, you’re going to have a moment when you get down.”
Boyington Health Care Facility in Gulfport aims to keep smiles on residents’ faces during the holidays by planning a full month of activities and events. Director of Community Development Leslie Bucklar said, “Just because you’re in the nursing facility doesn’t mean that Christmas stops. It just makes it better. It makes it better for the staff. They want to see the residents happy with that spirit of Christmas.”
Activity Director Darlene Currie said, “For example, they’ll be going out to the Jones Park Christmas lights four times starting next week. They go fishing. They go out to lunch. They go out to the park.”
While longtime Boyington resident Allen Pickens has plenty of family along the Coast, he still makes it a point to reach out to his fellow residents who aren’t as fortunate to have loved ones nearby around Christmas time. “That’s the time we all pull together and talk to that person and try to lift them up and let them know that it’s not as bad as it seems.”
Staff members say in the midst of it all, the residents aren’t the only ones left smiling. Activity Assistant Ester Heard said, “You know, we love our residents. I don’t know who has the most fun, us or the residents.”