Preventing Depression this Fall
When fall comes around, the majority of us start thinking of fall colors and apple pie, of coming in a little earlier and getting cozy around the fireplace at night. But when it comes to the elderly in our life, fall is not always such a pretty picture. Fall means less opportunity to sit out and soak in the sun, it means shorter days, colder days and often, depression. Though we are aware that SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) often strikes the elderly, what many of us fail to realize is that it begins in the fall and only peaks in the winter. However, realizing this and taking it into consideration now, we can help the elderly in our lives ease the transition from summer to fall and lessen the opportunity for depression. Here are easy tips for prevention.
Plan Extra Social Activities
One of the most relished parts of summer by the elderly is the increased social activity. There’s simply more “happening.” It’s natural for us as human beings to be out more during the summer months and hanging closer to home during the winter ones. For the elderly, this translates to fewer guests, things to fill a day and events to look forward to. You can soften the break from summer to fall by making extra effort to keep the social activities coming. While the activities may not look the same, there are still plenty of activities available. Think crafting, painting, library trips, “indoor-picnics,” movie nights, etc. More than that, if we don’t allow the busyness of our own fall schedules diminish the time spent with them, that itself can make a huge difference.
Invest in Lighting/Perhaps Blue Lights
Clearly you cannot keep the sun shining for more hours in a day, but you can make sure that their lighting is the very best it can possibly be. Invest in quality lamps that more closely resemble natural sunlight. You may even want to look into “blue lights,” specifically designed as light therapy to help those who suffer from SAD. If the elderly are in an assisted living home, encourage the staff at the nursing home to turn the lights off later at night in their room; stretching the days out in this way can help lessen the sudden transition between summer and fall
Encourage Exercise
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s guideline for treating SAD, exercise[1] is one of the top four treatment options. Remember that exercise does not need to mean anything strenuous. It can consist of walks through the hallways, gentle weight lifting or even a slow swim. Exercise has often been equated to produce the same level of mood-boosting serotonin that a mild anti-depressant would. And, because fall and winter often have a habit of making the elderly feel trapped from outdoors because of the cold and safety hazards like ice, indoor exercise can help prevent that feeling of loss. Try to make it a daily habit and by starting now, you may be able to prevent the pending frustration with fall and winter.
Freelance writer Jocelyn has always had a passion for the elderly and one of her favorite activities is playing chess with the elderly in assisted living homes. She currently works for Heater Home, writing about safety with home heaters.
[1] Anon. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder. Second Edition. American Psychiatric Association April 2000.
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/3858000327/sizes/m/in/photostream/
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