At BrightStar Care of Greater Hackensack, we provide home care for families across Bergen County, NJ, from Hackensack and Emerson to Teaneck, Paramus, Rutherford and Ridgefield Park…., and we help them prepare for the busiest stretch of the year, which is also the loneliest for some older adults. Thanksgiving falls on November 26 this year, so October is the right moment to plan.
Quick answer: Start planning now. Set up a steady rhythm of contact that does not depend on one holiday meal, use any holiday visit to notice changes in health and in the home, and decide in advance who covers care on the days your family travels. Local programs and professional support can fill the gaps. A little assistance in the planning and help with shopping adventures mean a lot!
Why should families start planning for the holidays in October?
Because plans made early leave room for real choices, while plans made in a hurry usually leave room only for emergencies.
From mid-November on, travel, school schedules, and work deadlines fill every calendar. Winter weather can then disrupt the plans that remain. If you are the person in your family who coordinates everything, a few decisions made now will spare you a stressful scramble later and give your parent something to which they can look forward.
How common is loneliness among older adults?
Common enough that families should plan for it, and the holidays can make it more noticeable.
The University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that in 2023, about one in three adults ages 50 to 80 (34%) felt isolated from others during the past year, and 37% reported a lack of companionship. One in three had contact with people outside their home once a week or less. The poll does not measure the holidays specifically, but for many families, traditions make an absence easier to feel.
Why does social isolation matter for health?
Because it is tied to measurable health risks, not only to mood.
The CDC reports that among older adults, social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia. Poor social relationships were associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. The CDC also notes that social isolation and loneliness are two distinct things, and both can put health at risk. A parent can have a full calendar and still feel lonely, or live alone and feel perfectly content, so it helps to ask about both.
What can families do to keep a loved one connected?
Build a simple rhythm of contact that continues well after the holidays end.
- Schedule recurring video or phone calls at the same time each week.
- Arrange rides to events at a library or Bergen County Senior Activity Center, where programs are offered at no charge to residents 60 and older.
- Invite a neighbor, friend, or faith community member to check in regularly.
- Send cards or small packages, which give your parent something to hold and display.
- Consider regular companionship visits from a caregiver for conversation, meals, and outings.
What should you look for during a holiday visit?
Look at the whole picture: how your loved one moves, eats, manages the house, and engages with the people around them.
A visit gives you more information than a phone call ever can. Without making your parent feel inspected, notice:
- Weight loss, an empty refrigerator, or spoiled food
- Stacks of unopened mail or unpaid bills
- Bruises, unsteadiness, or new difficulty with stairs
- Confusion about medications or missed doses
- Less interest in traditions, hobbies, or friends
No single sign means a crisis, but a pattern deserves attention. Take notes privately, enjoy the holiday, and plan a calm conversation afterward rather than raising concerns at the table.
How do you plan care around travel and winter weather?
Decide in advance who covers what, including the days your own family is traveling.
Write down current medications, doctor contacts, and at least two emergency contacts, and keep a copy with a family member and with the care team. Confirm who checks on your parent if you are away or if a storm blocks the roads. If you need a break yourself, our Holiday Relief Care, a form of respite care, keeps your loved one's routine, medications, and companionship steady while you rest or travel. If you live out of state, a local care team can check in person and send you real updates instead of leaving you to guess from a distance.
How does professional in-home care fit into holiday planning?
It gives your family a plan and a team, so you are not holding every detail yourself.
We provide a care manager who connects medical needs, family logistics, and day-to-day changes in one place, along with RN oversight and regular reports back to you. If memory changes are part of the picture, our memory care support helps families caring for a loved one with dementia. Some families want a daily summary, and others prefer a short weekly call. You set the level of involvement, and the standard of care stays the same. To talk through your family's holiday plan, call us at 201.530.8314
About BrightStar Care of Greater Hackensack
We are a nurse-led home care agency, Joint Commission accredited since 2011, with 17 years of experience serving families in Bergen County. Every care plan includes RN oversight, and our in-home care services range from a few hours a week to 24-hour care. Our office is at Kinderkamack Road, Suite 101, Emerson, NJ 07630. Call us any time at 201.530.8314to start planning. We are also growing and hiring nurses and caregivers, so visit our careers page at brightstarcare.com/locations/greater-hackensack/careers/ to learn more.
Local Resources
- Bergen County Division of Senior Services/ADRC: 201-336-7400
- United Senior Activity Center, Hackensack: 201-336-3320
- Bergen County Meals on Wheels: 201-336-7420
- Bergen County Community Transportation: 201-368-5955
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we start planning care for the holidays? Now. Planning in October gives you time to arrange visits, confirm backup coverage, and talk with your parent before schedules fill up.
Is loneliness the same as social isolation? No. Social isolation is a lack of social connections, while loneliness is the feeling of being alone. They are distinct, and both can affect health.
What if my parent refuses help? Start small and involve them in the choice. Many families begin with a few hours of companionship a week and adjust from there.
Can care be arranged just for the holiday season? Yes. Support can be short-term or ongoing, from a few hours a week to 24-hour care, and it can scale up or down as needs change.
We live out of state. How do we know our parent is okay? A local care team can check in person, follow the plan, and give you regular updates.
Sources
- University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. Trends in Loneliness Among Older Adults from 2018 to 2023. https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/node/88
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Loneliness and Social Isolation: Risks for Older Adults (podcast transcript). https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/media/pdf/316995_Loneliness_Risks_for_Older_Adults.pdf
- Bergen County Division of Senior Services. Key telephone numbers and Senior Activity Center information (2026 calendars). https://bergencountynj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/United_Center_2026_02.pdf
- BrightStar Care of Greater Hackensack. Navigating the Types of Respite Care Available (Holiday Relief Care). https://www.brightstarcare.com/locations/greater-hackensack/about-us/blog/navigating-the-types-of-respite-care-available-at-brightstar-care-of-greater-hackensack,-nj/