Home Care Services: Seasonal Affective Disorder is known by many names.
Sometimes it’s called the “winter blues”. Other times it’s called “cabin fever”. No matter what you call it SAD is a serious mental health condition that affects nearly a million people each year, including many seniors. Seniors have an increased risk of depression normally and the lack of daylight and social isolation that comes with cold and snowy winter weather can make seniors even more susceptible to developing Seasonal Affective Disorder. A Home Care Services Provider can help your senior by offering companionship and diversions.
If your senior loved one lives in a place with long, cold, and snowy winters you should watch for these signs and symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder:
- Feeling sad, cranky, or hopeless
- Less energy
- Trouble concentrating
- Fatigue
- Greater appetite
- More desire to be alone
- Thoughts of suicide
- Weight gain
Any of those symptoms by themselves don’t necessarily indicate that your senior loved one has SAD but seeing multiple symptoms develop as the winter sets in and seeing the intensity of the symptoms increase as the days get shorter can be a good indication that it’s SAD. If your senior loved one has a home care services provider that companion care at home provider can start logging your senior loved one’s symptoms and keeping track of the intensity of the symptoms. That information can be very valuable for a doctor diagnosing your loved one with SAD.
Home Care Services: Treatments
There are some treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder that can be very effective. Your senior parent’s doctor may test their blood to look for a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to the symptoms of depression and increase their intensity in people with depression. Your senior loved one may need to get an injection of Vitamin D during the winter months to help combat SAD. They also may need to change their diet or take a supplement to ensure that they are getting the vitamins and minerals that they need.
A doctor may also suggest putting your senior loved one on antidepressants if their symptoms are severe. However, if your loved one is taking a lot of medications for other help problems antidepressants may not be a good option for them. Another alternative treatment is light therapy.
Light therapy involves using a natural sun lamp to mimic natural sunlight and give your senior loved one the sunlight they need to feel better. Getting outside for walks during the day when the sun is high can also help. So can making sure that the home gets as much light as possible by making sure that the drapes and shades are open all day.
Your senior loved one may need to combine several therapies in order to get some relief from Seasonal Affective Disorder but there are treatments that can lessen the symptoms and make winter less of a hardship for seniors. Getting regular visits from you and from a home care services provider can also help minimize the impact of SAD by providing the social connection and companionship that seniors need. They can provide much more than a social connection in that they can keep an eye on your senior’s health.
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable Home Care Services in Dacula, GA, and surrounding areas. Call (770) 965.4004 for more information.
We provide home care in Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Oakwood, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Barrow County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Jackson County, North Fulton County.
Sources:
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/seasonal-affective-disorder
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/seasonal-affective-disorder
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
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