(COLORADO SPRINGS)– While the holidays are often joyful, they can also be a time of isolation for many elderly people. For those living alone or away from family, feelings of loneliness can become overwhelming.

FOX21 News spoke to two senior centers–Silver Key Senior Living and Winslow Court Senior Living centers–and they both said health risks are not the biggest threat to older communities, instead it’s loneliness. But for some local senior centers, they have found friendship and love this holiday season.

“So, older adults who are experiencing isolation and loneliness, that is one of the key contributing factors to anxiety, depression, and other mental health needs,” said Jason Deabuen, President and CEO of Silver Key Senior Living.

For most people, the holidays are a time filled with good food, friends, and family, but for many, it can remind them of how lonely they are.

“You don’t have to at all feel like you don’t have access to people, connection, and the cure for isolation and loneliness,” said Deabuen.

They say all it take is a little effort.

“The true meaning of Christmas is showing love to everyone that you can. It’s not the presents…. It’s not hard to get out. I’m giving part of my soul to you, I’m giving everything to people that need it and love,” said Dwight Middleton, Resident and Ambassador of Winslow Senior Living.

Middleton said his job as ambassador at is to make sure no one is alone.

“That’s part of what I do, is try and make sure that the people are coming in and they’re not hiding either. We need to make them part of us as soon as we can, and that’s what we do,” he added.

Each morning he carefully crafts a positive message to share with his dozens and dozens of friends.

“Then I come around with whatever I come up with, and I’m looking for them to sparkle right away with my message, so that everybody can feel it,” he said.

The Silver Key Senior Center and Winslow Court Senior Living Center offer holiday activities like ornament making, Christmas light viewing, and many other festive activities.

“Even if it’s something small, like painting or writing or reading, something that really warms their heart individually. And then always checking on them, always checking in with them and seeing how they’re doing, and how they’re feeling, and providing whatever support we can,” said William Tran, Health and Wellness Director at Winslow Court Senior Living.

They say the best donation to give this holiday season is time.

“Call your mom, call your dad. You probably don’t do it as often as you should, and they’re sitting at home hoping that you will,” said Tran.

According to the American Psychological Institution, a lack of social connection heightens health risks equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes each day or having an alcohol use disorder.

Remeber to always check in on those around you, during the holidays and year round.