Contributed by Kiralie Konde, President/Aging Life Care Manager, Generation Crossroads and Penn's Village Business Partner
THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER, BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE SHORT DAYS OF MIDWINTER.
THIS MAY BE A GOOD TIME TO LEARN HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER.
SAD: What You Should Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder
A key part of providing holistic health for older adults is addressing mental health challenges. Seniors deserve to thrive as they age, which includes maintaining a healthy emotional, mental, and physical state. One mental health issue that seniors can face is seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. While most people experience some form of the “winter blues” due to getting less sunlight and physical activity during the colder months, SAD is a more serious condition, a type of depression that comes seasonally, usually in the winter. SAD can be more prone to affect seniors if they have lost a loved one or are dealing with a chronic illness. The holidays can bring extra stress with preparations for family gatherings and can bring back painful memories in some cases.
What Does SAD Look Like?
SAD has many of the same symptoms as other depressive disorders. Seniors experiencing SAD may tend towards overeating and crave carb-heavy foods, leading to weight gain. Other signs can be a lack of energy, decreased interest in favorite activities, and disrupted sleep patterns, such as oversleeping or waking up during the night. In conversation, seniors with SAD may have slow responses or seem distracted. They may be reluctant to take a shower and neglect their personal hygiene.
Seniors who have other mental health disorders, such as anxiety, ADHD, or an eating disorder, are more prone to develop SAD. Those who live alone might also find the winter season more challenging. If your aging loved one falls into these categories, make sure to reach out during the colder months and include them in festivity preparations and celebrations.
How Can You Address SAD?
Though SAD is a seasonal condition, seniors don’t have to wait for the season to change to feel better. There are steps that can alleviate the symptoms during the winter. Take advantage of sunny days to go on a short walk or spend time outside. Remember to bundle up and watch out for icy patches to avoid a fall. Taking vitamin D supplements can be useful to replace some of the benefits of sunlight.
If outdoor walks are too risky, consider incorporating inside exercises into the week. Exercising can increase blood flow, combatting the lethargic feeling that cold weather often brings, and releases endorphins, which can act as a mood booster. Look at a local senior center, hospital, or gym to find senior-friendly programs, or find age-adapted workout videos online.
Make sure that your aging loved one has enough social time in their schedule. Invite friends or family over for a visit or encourage them to call or send a card in the mail. Look for activities to attend at a nearby church, senior center, or library. Find a caroling group and add your loved one’s house to their list for a festive surprise.
If the case of SAD includes grief over the loss of a close friend or loved one, consider a grief support group or professional counseling.
*Feel free to reach out to Generation Crossroads to get specific recommendations and referrals to quality resources and local providers.
www.generationcrossroads.com
kiralie@generationcrossroads.com
(267) 546-7551
PO Box 11993, Philadelphia, PA 19145
www.generationcrossroads.com