SAD is an acronym for seasonal affective disorder. It’s a condition that causes depression at the same time each year. While most people with SAD feel depressed in the fall and winter, it is also possible to have spring and summer SAD. SAD is more common in people who live in the north. It affects approximately 2 percent of people in the United States.
A milder form of the condition impacts as many as 20 percent of people, though. If your older family member suffers from SAD or even its milder form, knowing some ways they can feel better during bouts of depression can help them to overcome the condition. Below are 5 ways to help your aging relative overcome SAD.
#1: See a Therapist
Seeing a therapist can help your older family member to cope with the condition. A therapist can also offer them strategies for dealing with their feelings. A therapist also offers an outlet for the elder adult to talk about their feelings in a healthy and confidential environment.
A home care provider can offer transportation to and from the therapist’s office, ensuring the senior doesn’t miss any of their appointments.
#2: Spend Time in the Sun
Exposure to sunlight can help to boost your aging relative’s mood naturally. Sunlight increases the body’s production of serotonin, a chemical that makes people feel better. Try increasing the amount of sunlight in the house by opening the curtains or blinds in the morning. The older adult could also take walks outside or drink their coffee on the porch or deck in the morning.
Home care can assist the older adult to spend more time in the sun by serving them coffee outside on warm days or going for walks with them. Home care providers can also open the blinds and curtains each day and encourage the senior to sit near them for a time.
#3: Eat Balanced Meals
Having SAD can make your aging relative crave unhealthy foods, like sugary desserts. However, it’s important for them to eat healthy, balanced meals. Eating a good diet can increase their energy levels and help them to feel better.
Home care can prepare healthy meals and snacks for your older family member, ensuring they get the nutrients they need to stay healthy and have the energy needed to do the things they enjoy.
#4: Take Medications
A doctor may prescribe antidepressant medications to relieve the older adult’s symptoms. If so, it’s important that they take the medications as directed without skipping doses.
Older adults are sometimes prone to forgetfulness, which can mean forgetting to take medications or accidentally taking a double dose because they forgot they already took it. Home care providers cannot give seniors their medicine, but they can remind them when it is time to take it. They can also keep an eye on your senior to make certain they don’t take medicine twice.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Linden, NJ, call the caring staff at Helping Hands Home Care today at 908-418-4299. Providing Home Care Services in all of Northern and Central NJ, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside and the surrounding areas.
Sources
Helpguide.org
Talkspace.com
Everydayhealth.com
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a BS in finance Helping Hands Homecare’s Owner / President, Robert D’Arienzo, went to work on Wall St. for six years. However, after Robert’s grandmother became ill with stomach cancer Robert and his family needed to find assistance in the home for her. After many trials and tribulations Robert could see that there was a great need for quality home care services here in NJ and loved the idea of being able to assist other families who were going through what his family went through with his beloved grandmother.
Thus, Robert had found his passion. After almost a year of preparation Robert opened Helping Hands Homecare in 2003. Robert wanted Helping Hands Homecare to focus on providing the highest quality of caregivers, exceptional customer service, and providing a service that familys could depend on in their time of need. Since then Helping Hands has assisted hundreds of individuals with the simplest of needs to more complex cases while preserving those standards set out many years ago.
Robert is a Google Verified Author
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