Winter and Holiday Blues for Seniors
Winter and holiday blues for seniors is a real concern and something to be dealt with. The winter season can negatively affect a person’s mood, especially the elderly. Colder weather keeps people indoors more and it gets darker earlier, limiting activity. Some seniors may also experience the blues around the winter holidays when they think about the loss of loved ones and friends or even a beloved pet, in addition to deteriorating health. 
Family members and caregivers should be on the lookout for these indicators of the holiday blues:
- Memory difficulties or personality changes.
- Physical aches or pain.
- Fatigue, loss of appetite, excessive sleeping or difficulty sleeping.
- Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things.
- Suicidal thinking or feelings, especially in older men.
- Excessive use of alcohol.
Family members and caregivers need to be astute to these behaviors and discuss concerns with your primary care physician or visiting nurse. Depression is treatable and not a part of the healthy aging process.
What are some tactics to help fend off loneliness and the holiday blues for seniors?
Visit with your senior. Social isolation is one of the biggest predictors of depression. Today’s technology makes it easier than ever for family to stay in touch and spot problems even if they live far away. If possible assist in a “Skype” or “FaceTime” visit with a loved one that lives a long distance away. Also, Assisted Living Technologies, sister company to Assisted Living Services, specializes in technology that enables seniors to communicate with family and friends. With a simple tap of the screen, you can initiate a video chat with your senior loved one, and vice versa.
If you have any questions about fighting the holiday blues for seniors, please visit www.assistedlivingct.com or call (203) 634-8668.
