Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in the elderly is an increasingly well-known phenomenon. Their morale can quickly plummet. The days are getting shorter, the sun is becoming rarer and sometimes non-existent, and the lack of light can have a significant impact on everyone, especially seniors. This can lead to a significant drop inenergy, leading to psychological disorders and seasonal depression. The month of November can be a depressing time for many people.intensify during thewinter is in full swing.
Symptoms generally diminish at the start of spring, but can nevertheless be very penalizing during the cold season. Many people confuse seasonal depression with permanent depression. But these are two completely different things. That’s why it’s essential to take the time to find out exactly what ails you. As we’ll see later on, SAD can be alleviated in very simple ways. It is generally not necessary to use medication to treat it.
How to recognize the signs of SAD in seniors?
The first signs of winter blues usually appear towards the end of autumn. Decreased appetite, weight loss and mood swings are the most common symptoms. Your parents suddenly start calling you less. They give news very occasionally. It’s probably a sign that something is up and that a seasonal depression is on the horizon. Lack of light can quickly put a damper on seniors’ morale. Excesses of anger or sadness are then likely to manifest themselves in unpredictable ways, plunging the elderly person into a very precarious psychological state.
More signs of temporary depression
- His reflex is sometimes to eat poorly.
- Taking refuge in sweets and unhealthy comfort foods.
- Lack of energy throughout the day.
- Becoming inactive, lazy, simply waiting for the days to pass.
It’s important to react so as not to suffer too much impact from the seasonal depression that’s setting in. The hardest thing to understand is to admit that depression among seniors in winter is not inevitable. High-performance solutions exist, and they’re also relatively easy to install.
A few tips to counter seasonal depression in the elderly
The most effective remedy for seasonal depression is undoubtedly daylight. If the sun comes out for a moment, take advantage of it to go for a walk. Even without the sun, walking is an excellent antidepressant. Getting out of the house, conditions permitting, being active and getting into the daylight can all have a very positive effect on winter blues. In general, a little exercise every day is a powerful antidote.
Other tips: light therapy
For further help in recovering from depression
The practice of meditation is also an excellent ally, as it allows the body to regenerate itself and dispel dark ideas and negative thoughts. The results are usually not long in coming, and the improvements are significant within a very reasonable timeframe. Relaxing to music is also a very simple way of sending good vibrations to your body and mind. Our Montreal seniors’ residence is ideal for this kind of varied activity.
As we’ve just highlighted, there are a number of solutions that can effectively combat seasonal depression. Residential living, for its part, offers many advantages in preventing this pathology. In fact, it offers manyopportunities d’social activities. Talking to friends is an excellent way to combat loneliness and temporary depression. For example, annual holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Easter are special occasions. This social contextis very invigorating. Spending them in a residential home is theassurance ofenjoy them to the full and, above all, at their true value.
Article updated: November 11, 2019
