SAD, commonly known as seasonal affective disorder, can affect people of any age. From young toddlers to elderly folks, SAD makes people feel down. The winter months after the hectic holiday season are when it happens most frequently. Knowing when to step in and receive aid for an elderly loved one depends on your ability to recognize the warning signals.

Older adults' seasonal affective disorder symptoms

If the senior you care about always appears a touch down in the winter, there may be more going on than just the blues following the holidays. It's possible that the long, gloomy winter days and lack of sunlight are to blame.

Some of the typical indications that an elderly parent or older relative is experiencing more than just cabin fever include:

• Drowsiness and exhaustion
• Persistently depressing emotions
• Loss of energy or lethargy
• Issues with sleep, including both sleeplessness and excessive sleep
• Unintentional weight gain or loss
• Feeling unworthy
• Leaving favorite clubs, activities, and organizations
• Having trouble focusing and staying attentive
• Personal hygiene changes
• Angry and impatient
• Tearful or sobbing

It may be time to consult with the senior's primary care physician if they are displaying one or more of the symptoms mentioned above. The best person to determine if it is the post-holiday blues or something more severe that needs to be treated by a doctor is him or her.

Supporting an elderly person through seasonal affective disorder

You may take precautions every winter to avoid getting SAD for yourself or a senior loved one. They consist of:

• Eliminate sugary foods, sodas, and sweets from your regular diet and restrict alcohol consumption.
• Set a daily activity goal of 30 minutes, such as walking or swimming.
• Take up a mindful workout method like chair yoga or Pilates.
• Consume a diet rich in lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables.
• Regularly spend time with family, friends, and other loved ones.

Also frequently suggested by mental health practitioners is a tool known as a "lightbox." By lowering melatonin levels in the body, it aids those who are experiencing the winter blues. You feel less tired when you consume less melatonin. If you or the older adult for whom you are caring could benefit from this, discuss it with your primary care doctor.