Southern California stays sunny, but sometimes the clouds roll in, complicating things for senior care. Sherman Oaks, CA residents may experience symptoms of depression during those rare cloudy streaks. Reduced energy levels may be accompanied by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loneliness. These are no fun for those in elderly assisted living.
But these feelings are understandable when the weather turns sour and you’re dealing with chronic health conditions. However, these feelings are often a condition known as “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” And if you have the right partner for residential assisted living in Sherman Oaks, CA, you’ll be able to pull through the blues quickly enough.
Fortunately, Home Instead provides all levels of elderly care in Sherman Oaks, CA, so you only need to contact us, and a licensed, trained, bonded, compassionate CAREGiver will be happy to step in and help.
Season Affective Disorder often is caused by a drop in the levels of serotonin and melatonin levels. These levels are spurred by sunlight, so they naturally drop when the amount of sunlight decreases. Winter, even here in sunny southern California, brings shorter days, so these drops are natural enough. But then when a few cloudy days roll in, the problem can get even worse.
Cloudy days mean even lower levels of these important chemicals, which can mean even worse symptoms of depression.
But the best caregivers for seniors in Sherman Oaks, CA are the CAREGivers of Home Instead, and they’ve got ideas on how to counteract these problems.
One of the most important things to do is to maximize exposure to sunlight. This may seem obvious, but it can take some doing. Opening curtains, sitting in chairs that are nearer to windows, getting outside more, and just doing whatever it takes to maximize exposure to what light there is. There may be less sunlight, but there is sunlight, so take full advantage of it!
For those with mobility issues, certain lamps can use light bulbs that imitate the color and feel of sunlight. These lamps can help the body to produce more serotonin and melatonin without the dangers that come from direct sunlight exposure. They can’t replace the sun, of course, but they can reduce the effect of less sunlight.
Another important way to combat the Seasonal Affective Disorder blues is regular physical activity. Something as simple as going for a walk or doing simple exercises in your seat for those who have difficulty walking. Getting the heart rate going and getting some endorphins flowing can counteract the lack of those other chemicals.
And of course, if symptoms worsen, one can always talk to the doctor.
But in all cases, the CAREGivers of Home Instead are ready to help make the SAD blues a minor thing.
Call for a virtual or in-home assessment today: 818-988-6848.
