Winter Holidays and Solo Aging in 2025: Fresh Ideas, Resources, and Opportunities for Staying Connected, Supported, and Well
By Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA, CSA®, Founder, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC & Navigating Solo Network
Host, The Navigating Solo™ Podcast
The winter holiday season often arrives wrapped in messages of joy, celebration, and togetherness. Yet for many, it’s also a time of introspection, mixed emotions, or loneliness. Solo agers can feel these tensions more acutely. Add the realities of winter weather, shorter days in many areas, and travel challenges, and it’s easy to feel stretched or overwhelmed.
Yet this season also offers opportunities for connection, creativity, rest, and intentional living.
As a solo aging advocate, educator, and board-certified patient advocate, I spend a lot of time considering how isolation, loneliness, and environmental factors intersect with well-being. In 2025, we have more tools than ever—virtual, community-based, and personal—to support solo agers through the holidays and the winter ahead.
This updated guide shares practical, meaningful, and empowering ways to approach the holiday season and winter months with clarity, safety, and joy.
Plan Ahead: Intentionality for a Meaningful Holiday Season & Safe Winter
Planning ahead is one of the most powerful tools solo agers have. Thoughtful preparation helps reduce uncertainty, minimize stress, and make room for fun, connection, and rest.
Prepare for Winter Weather
Restock essentials: groceries, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, household and pet supplies.
Sign up for automatic refill and delivery options (CVS, Walgreens, Amazon Pharmacy, grocery delivery apps).
If snow and ice are concerns, explore:
Local snow removal services
Neighborhood Facebook groups or Buy Nothing groups
Municipal senior services that offer subsidized or low-cost assistance
The Village to Village Network resources in your community
Create a Seasonal Schedule
Mapping out your December 2025 –February 2026 plan can help keep you grounded.
Add weekly events: fitness classes, virtual programs, walks, social calls.
Note recurring joys: favorite shows, hobbies, meetups, community gatherings.
Build in “anchor moments” each week—something to look forward to.
Winter Safety Kit (Updated for 2025)
Whether at home or in your car, prepare an emergency kit:
Flashlights, batteries, hand warmers
A charged portable power bank for your phone
Emergency contact list (digital and paper)
Heated blanket or layers for warmth
Non-perishable snacks and water bottles
Harness the Power of Technology in New Ways (2025 Edition)
Technology continues to expand possibilities for connection and engagement—especially during the winter months when mobility may be limited.
Virtual Activities & Communities
Explore accessible platforms offering programs for older adults:
GetSetUp – interest classes, social groups, tech sessions
Senior Planet / OATS – tech training, workshops, social events
Navigating Solo Network (2025 / 2026 offerings!) – regional groups, discussion circles, Table Talks, and special holiday/winter programs
Tech-Based Resilience Tools
Check-in systems: Establish a winter buddy system with friends or neighbors.
Weather-alert apps: Ensure winter storm alerts are enabled on your phone.
Telehealth & patient portals: Schedule end-of-year medical appointments, refill prescriptions early, and review care plans.
Digital Winter Escapes
From your living room, explore:
Virtual museum tours
National park webcams
Online concerts and holiday performances
Documentaries and travel videos to inspire future trips
Thriving with Shorter Days & Colder Weather
Winter can impact mood, energy, and motivation. Small adjustments can make a big difference.
Maximize Sunlight & Light Exposure
Get outside for 10–20 minutes midday whenever possible.
Consider a light therapy lamp if recommended by your clinician.
Open your blinds first thing in the morning to reset your internal clock.
Warm, Safe, and Cozy
Layer clothing and use heated throws to manage heating costs.
Add warm lighting, candles, or string lights to brighten your home.
Place non-slip mats at entryways to prevent falls.
Indoor Movement Options
Mall walking (offered in many communities)
Indoor walking tracks at YMCAs or recreation centers
Online classes: chair yoga, tai chi, stretching, or balance training
Winter-friendly home routines that support strength and mobility
Nurture In-Person Connections (When Safe and Feasible)
Connection remains central to well-being, and winter doesn’t have to diminish opportunities for meaningful interaction.
Community Programs
Check local:
Libraries
Senior centers / Councils on Aging
Community Centers
Recreation departments
Community colleges offering winter workshops
Faith communities: Many now offer winter wellness series, craft circles, holiday events, movie afternoons, and learning sessions perfect for solo agers.
Transportation Solutions for 2025 / 2026
If winter roads are a concern:
Local senior transport services
GoGoGrandparent (rideshare support for those who don’t use apps)
Paratransit programs
Community ride networks
Lyft and Uber senior accessibility features
Micro-Connections
Small, daily social touches matter:
Greet your neighbors
Chat with a barista or cashier
Join a morning walking group
Attend a nearby event, even briefly
Create Winter Joy at Home
Your home environment can either drain or uplift you during winter.
Festive Touches
Decorate with winter lights, nature-inspired decor, or items that evoke warmth and comfort.
Keep decorations up into January or February if they bring joy.
Cozy Corners
Create a “comfort zone”:
A favorite chair
A blanket
Warm slippers
A stack of books or journals
A warm drink station
Prioritize Self-Care (Updated for 2025 Needs)
Move Your Body
Explore fitness apps designed for older adults.
Try 10-minute movement breaks during the day.
Join an indoor winter walking challenge.
Nourish Yourself
Batch cook soups and stews to have nutrient-dense meals ready.
Explore local winter farmers markets (many now run indoors).
Add winter citrus, leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains to boost immunity.
Winter Mental Wellness Tools
Meditation or grounding exercises
Journaling prompts for winter reflection
Audiobooks or podcasts (including The Navigating Solo™ Podcast)
Warm baths or aromatherapy
Get Outdoors: Nature as Medicine (Even in 2025/26’s Winter!)
When safe, crisp winter air can do wonders.
Stay Warm & Confident
Wear layers, insulated gloves, hats, and waterproof boots.
Use traction cleats for icy sidewalks.
Stick to well-maintained local parks or walking paths.
Embrace Winter’s Beauty
Even brief outings—sunsets, quiet snowy mornings, birds against winter skies—can restore calm and perspective.
Cultivate Gratitude & Emotional Resilience
Gratitude is a powerful, accessible tool—especially during slower, quieter months.
Start or restart a gratitude journal.
Try guided gratitude meditations.
Share appreciation with others through cards, messages, or small gestures.
Begin a “winter wins” list—small achievements or joys you notice each week.
Give Back: Winter Volunteering for Connection & Purpose
Volunteering can offer structure, connection, and meaning during the winter months.
Ideas for 2025 / 2026
Food banks or holiday meal programs
Animal shelters
Hospital gift shops or visitor greeters
Library reading programs
Community warming centers
Emergency preparedness volunteering
Virtual tutoring or pen-pal programs
Navigating Solo Network Opportunities
Participate in:
Final Thoughts: Empowerment Through Choice
Navigating the holidays and winter as a solo ager doesn’t mean facing the season without joy, support, or warmth. With intention, creativity, and connection, winter can become a time of reflection, resetting, and meaningful engagement.
You have the power to shape the season in ways that nurture you.
Seek joy. Plan wisely. Reach out. Embrace support. Let this winter be one of connection, comfort & a renewed sense of self.
The Navigating Solo Network is an online national network and clearinghouse featuring resources specifically for Solo Agers!
Our site features a resource library, calendar of events, exclusive resources for members, and more! Join our mailing list below!
Are you interested in working with a solo aging educator and advocate? Our founder Ailene Gerhardt is available to assist! Email her!