Holiday stress has a heavy impact on the elderly, according to Homewatch CareGivers, which has provided full-service, in-home senior care since 1980. “Our elder care clients face physical limitations, declining health, retirement, isolation from family and friends, changed living arrangements or ongoing financial constraints,” said Leann Reynolds, president of the largest, most experienced international franchise provider of in-home care for people of all ages.

According to Mental Health America, about 15% of the 35 million adults over age 65 have significant depressive symptoms, but only 10% receive treatment for depression.

“More than 60% of adult children live away from their aging parents and the holidays may be the one time a year when Boomers and their aging parents gather. It’s important to use that time to assess their overall mood, gauge their level of worry, talk about health concerns and create a family plan that involves the aging parent’s input to reduce their stress and anxiety about their future,” Reynolds said. She offers these seven pointers:

1. Get an overview of your parent’s financial health.

The national average of senior citizens living in poverty was 9.9% (U.S. Census 2007). Get an overview of your parent’s financial status and have an honest conversation of what they can afford, from housing to healthcare. Eliminate extravagant holidays if your parents can’t participate. Determine their priorities for the coming year and find out what local resources are open for them to reach these goals.

2. Be aware of physical and mental exhaustion.

Most adult children struggle with the fact that their parents aren’t able to do what they used to do. Keep in mind that when you are stressed, this affects your whole family. Instead of forcing group activities, respect their need and desire for time for rest, including movies, tea time and naps.

3. Keep tabs on healthy eating habits.

The average American gains about 5 pounds during the holiday seasons. For someone with an age-related disease like diabetes, extra pounds can lead to major health problems. Plan balanced family meals in advance. Forgo high calorie sugar treats. See if vitamin supplements work with their medication schedule and encourage their use of the B vitamins.

4. Give your parents a time to share traditions and reflect.

Make sure you allow your parents a set-aside time to talk about their lives and their loved-ones. The holidays spark memories of good times and loved ones lost. Take the time to talk about your parents’ friends and loved-ones to help them enjoy the holidays now.

5. Be attentive to changes in your parent.

Do they need more help than usual? Because you may only see your parents once or twice a year, the holiday season is the best time to assess their in-home needs. Seniors living independently need to know that you are aware of their changing needs and can help them live the lifestyle they want with in-home care.

Have they changed their daily routines and activities? Is Grandma avoiding social situations she used to enjoy? Does Dad seem to have more worries than before and do those worries seem out of proportion to reality, such as a real threat to his safety.

6. Talk about medications and their effectiveness.

Find out if your aging parent recently started taking another medicine or is using more of a particular medication than before. Medication side effects, such as breathing problems, irregular heartbeat or tremors, can simulate symptoms of anxiety. Also, an increased use of medication, or alcohol, may indicate an attempt to “self-medicate.” Use this time to determine who should be assigned durable medical power of attorney so that your aging parent’s physician can talk to you about any health-related concerns you have.

7. Pay attention to their overall mood.

Depression and anxiety often occur together. Tearfulness, apathy and a loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities are possible signs of depression. In the winter months, more than 10 million people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which exacerbates feelings of fatigue, anxiety or “the blahs.” Encourage your parent to be as physically active as they can be and to remain socially connected through clubs, senior centers, churches and synagogues.