How to Help Seniors Manage Seasonal Depression

Seasonal depression can be a serious issue for seniors during the holiday season. While this condition can happen in any climate, it is exacerbated in cold, winter climates. There are many reasons why seniors get more depressed during the holidays. These include loneliness, missing loved ones who have passed on or have become estranged and loss of joy for the holidays. Additionally, cold weather keeps seniors more isolated and cooped up indoors for long periods of time. Caring for your senior can truly make all the difference.

Tips for Managing Seasonal Depression

1. Engaging Seniors in Activities

Since some seasonal depression may be caused by loneliness, getting seniors to participate in holiday activities with other people can help cheer them up. Asking seniors for help cooking, decorating or even just sitting down and reminiscing about their childhood memories can help engage them.

2. Visit More Often

If you typically visit your senior relative once a week, try visiting more often during the holidays. You can take them with you on errands if they are capable, or stop by to ask them advice for recipes or other issues. You can also bring small projects with you to do together while you visit.

3. Add Mild Exercise

Exercise raises endorphin levels which in turn help improve moods. Taking walks in a local mall or other large building in cold weather or joining an exercise class together will help keep seniors mood elevated.

4. Add Full-Spectrum Lighting

Full-spectrum lighting mimics outdoor natural light. Because most people feel better in natural light, full-spectrum light has help improved people’s mood and lighten depression.

5. Increase Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 has been known to help improve moods and depression. After getting your doctor’s permission, try adding this vitamin to your senior’s diet for a few weeks. Typical dosage is 2000 IU per day. It does take about 3 to 4 weeks to see results.

6. Talk to a Geriatrician

If depression continues, discuss it with a geriatrician. There may be an underlying physical problem that needs to be diagnosed and treated or your senior may need medication to combat the seasonal depression.

Contact us to learn more about managing seasonal depression.