Care Insights #2 - Seasonal Affective Disorder(s)

Seasonal Affective Disorder(s):

It is that time of year again when it gets darker earlier and stays darker longer, when temps drop – often to below zero, when people go into their winter period of “hibernation”.  The “kick-off” to the winter season also includes the Holidays, which for many of us are times of celebrations – but not for all of us!  It is so important to remember that while many, if not most, of us enjoy the Holidays and tolerate the “seasonal” changes, some of us do not.  This is especially true for our older, senior population.  Why is this?

For one, it is increasingly better understood that some of us fall victim to what is now referred to as “Seasonal Affective Disorder”, known also as “S.A.D”….well, because it makes us feel sad. As the number of daylight hours decreases, and the day time is more grayish – less bright sunshine, our happiness hormones decrease.  This is a chemical response of our bodies which is often hard, if not impossible, to counteract. With less “happiness hormones” flowing through our bodies it is easier to feel depressed, or sad. While there are some remedies that seem to help with this, it is healthy to recognize this is a very real phenomenon for many people.

Add to this, other sources of depression; loneliness, other chronic or acute illnesses, diet -eating too much or not enough, cold temps which can cause one’s blood vessels to constrict and reduce blood flow, and stress.

Like S.A.D., these other causes are equally hard to control but are equally important to recognize and try to manage.  When one or more of these conditions are added together depression can become harmful.

So, how can we help with recognizing and managing, thereby reducing the impact from these conditions?

It helps to first recognize that many of these conditions are temporary and over time will correct themselves, so best to not over-react…which can add to one’s level of stress creating a negative feedback loop.  For example, S.A.D. will generally disappear in the spring as daylight hours lengthen and temps warm back up.  A bout of the common cold will make us feel miserable while we have it but, again, will generally resolve itself over a few days.  The stress and anxiety that some of us feel during the Holidays will generally resolve itself once the Holidays are over.  All that being said, depression is very real and needs attention paid to it so it doesn’t become a bigger problem.

So, let’s discuss a few of the conditions listed above and review steps that can be taken to help alleviate some of their symptoms.

Stress: 

This is a bigger issue that we often recognize for older seniors – especially during the Holidays.  It can be triggered by many things; expenses associated with family events requiring gifts, or travel, or extra food, or being around too many strangers, or any number of other triggers. These past two years we had the additional stresses of the COVID pandemic on top of all the other triggers.

One suggestion is to set a budget for the Holidays and stick to it!  Decide what is manageable and comfortable to set aside for extra expenses during this period and feel good about that. Do your best to not over indulge, to spend a lot more than your intended to, or could afford to spend.  Be clear with others, especially family members, what your limits are and then stick to them.  Often the anxiety associated with unmet, or newly discovered expectations will lead to disappointment which then often leads into depression.  It is always best to clearly communicate your limits and expectations so everyone affected knows where you stand and has the ability to support those boundaries.  Bottomline, stick to your budget and avoid the stress that will inevitably come with unanticipated overspending.

Loneliness: 

This is a big one!  Older seniors have an increasing sense of isolation and loss, especially as they lose loved ones; both family and friends.  Family members often have increasing time conflicts, especially during the Holidays, with party celebrations, other functions, extended family commitments – that might require out of town travel, ….., that make creating time to visit older loved ones as frequently as desired during this time period.  The list of time demands continue to grow as long as we allow it to which is not a bad thing in and of itself. But we need to make sure we create and commit to the time to visit our older loved ones who are not as mobile and as available as they once were.

Even when older seniors are surrounded by lots of family they can still be “lonely” as these events often remind them of the friends and family they have lost.  Be aware of this and takes measures to help them through these periods of remembrance.

Diet and health management:

Another big one!  During the winter months, and again especially during the Holidays, it is too easy to either eat too much (sugar and alcohol in particular) or too little (too many distractions).  It is also easy, with all the potential schedule disruptions, to forget to take one’s medicines.  Too many times, people will experience symptoms of health issues but choose to ignore them during the Holiday festivities so they don’t disrupt those festivities for others.  For those with chronic health conditions this can exacerbate their underlying health stability.  If they might be experiencing an acute onset of a new health issue it should not be ignored and addressed immediately to prevent it from becoming a bigger health issue.

We can all help to monitor and assist with these concerns by simply paying attention to our loved ones and engaging them in the management of their diets and health management. Ask them on a frequent basis haw they are feeling?  Any new aches or pains?  Did they take their medicines, or supplements? Subtly, as necessary, help them monitor their sugar and alcohol intakes so neither becomes problematic.  Stay aware, and engaged, and active with your older loved ones so accidents are prevented.

Sometimes it is helpful to seek outside support and assistance.  At Home Instead we provide just that.  We have helped both our clients and their families manage through the Holidays and the winter seasons.  On occasion it is simply for one day so the family member can go shopping or to a Holiday party and have a trusted resource assist with their loved one. Other times more is required so we engage with them over the duration of the winter months.  We tailor our care services specifically to the needs of the client and their family to best address all their needs as effectively as possible.  Call us if we can assist you and your family.