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| source: Jayme Kinsey |
Are you prepared to help your elderly loved beat the winter blues? As fall hurries by, and the days grow shorter, senior citizens can be at risk for depression.
Autumn leaves are more than just colorful litter in your yard. They are a sign that we are officially kicking off the holiday season.
That means that the upcoming months should be full of warm, pleasant rituals, right? Fireside cuddles, good books, hot cocoa, family and friends, dinners, presents, decorations, snow ball fights?
Rather than a sense of comfort, these winter activities could bring on an increased sense of loneliness in the elderly. What starts out as the winter blues could escalate into a condition known as SAD.
More than 4% of all Americans suffer from
SAD, which is a mild form of of depression. Most often, SAD is associated with the long, cold, gloomy months of winter. In people with dementia, it may lead to more serious cases of depression and thoughts of suicide.
Why is Winter Hard on the Elderly?
There are numerous factors that can cause elders discomfort and sadness over the winter months. Here are a few:
Feeling of Displacement: If they live in your home, they may have a difficult time feeling as though they "belong" during the holidays. They are no longer in charge of decorating, menus, guest lists, gift shopping, etc.
Grief and loneliness:
The holidays can be a difficult time for those who are widowed or divorced. Also for those whose relatives live far away or who are not involved with their elderly loved ones.
Physical Discomfort:
The elderly have a much harder time retaining body heat, and may dread the cold days ahead. Some complain that cold weather and snow aggravates conditions such as arthritis too.
Confusion:
Those with dementia may not fully understand why things are different, why they feel uncomfortable, why there are more strangers in the house, etc.
Time Change and Sundowning:
It can be difficult for someone with dementia to adapt to a new sleep schedule after a time change. Combined with an earlier sunset (which may now overlap another daily routine, such as dinner) sundowning behaviors can worsen.
Boredom:
Everyone gets a little cabin fever during the winter season, and the elderly are no different. Even though may prefer to stay indoors, the fact that they have no choice may make them feel restless and confined.
Almost anyone can experience a case of blues as the seasons change. The body adjusts and over time the feeling of melancholy will subside.
However, SAD itself may occur even when there are no obvious reasons. As yet, researchers don't know why it happens. They can only guess that it is a combination of hormonal fluctuations connected to a change in light quality and temperatures.
Because it usually only happens at a specific time of the year, it is considered a cyclical depression.
They do know that certain physical and emotional issues can contribute to SAD, or increase the risk factors, such as those mentioned above, as well as:
- Medications
- Being indoors too much (such as in a nursing facility)
- Family history of depression
- Chronic illnesses
How Can You Prepare to Prevent SAD?
While you probably can't prevent SAD, you can alleviate some of the factors that contribute to the winter blues.
- Speaking to a doctor about a vitamin supplement
- Taking your loved one outdoors
- Encouraging exercise
- Ensuring a proper diet for your loved one's needs
- Purchasing a UV lightbox
- Changing the atmosphere
How To Evict Winter From Your Home
A simple way to make everyone in the house feel more alert and cheerful during winter is by brightening up the rooms of your home:
- Replace heavy drapes with light-colored sheers, or make sure blinds and drapes are open during the daytime to max out those sunlight hours.
- Implement more accent lighting during the day to balance the dimmer light outdoors on cloudy days.
- Add some bright colors to areas where your loved one spends the most time (silk flowers, throw pillows, lap throws, artwork, table linens, etc.)
- Keep holiday decor and activities low-key to keep from overwhelming those with dementia.
Focus On the Person, Not the Symptoms
Besides dressing up your rooms a bit, you can give some one-on-one help to your loved one too. Instead of focusing on what is wrong, or trying to nag them into "cheering up", get them involved with family activities.
Seniors can help make decorations, plan menus, and holiday shop too. Take advantage of warmer days to take your loved one gift shopping with you. Ask their opinion even if they don't understand.
For seniors who live at home alone or in a nursing facility:
- Visit
- Send real cards in the mail
- Call
- Take them shopping
- Help them visit their friends
- Make sure they can access church activities and events at senior centers if they want
- Bring them to your house for a visit
- Drive them around to look at holiday lawn decorations
- Take them a week's worth of pre-cooked meals
- Take them a gift basket
You may not be able to keep winter from blowing through. But you can help keep the elderly warm, comfortable and happy during the gloomy months to come!
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