StartupHomeCare Blog

Beat the Winter Blues as a Caregiver

by Editor

Posted in Senior Care | No Comments

During the long, cold winter, isolation and/or depression can be a challenge for seniors and caregivers. Proper home health care training for winter can help make those months more bearable. Some individuals suffer from SAD or “Seasonal Affective Disorder”. For those experiencing SAD, the absence of natural sunlight during this season upsets the sleep-wake cycle. SAD may also affect hormones like melatonin and the balance of chemicals such as serotonin in the brain, which can change someone’s mood. Whether someone just has an annual wintertime malaise or truly suffers from SAD, these darker colder days can actually take a toll. 

Combine that with cold-weather ailments and the flu season and it is understandable why many people flock to places like Arizona and Florida during the winter. However, this option is not available for many. So, whether you are a caregiver or senior, consider the following tips to beat the winter blues. 

Befriend the Birds

There are some birds that do not head south to escape the cold. The birds that stay behind, are usually fun to watch and colorful. You and your senior loved one could consider taking up birdwatching through one of their windows overlooking the yard. Install a feeder and birdhouse in simple-to-see locations of the backyard. Afterward, sit and relax and watch the birds who come to visit. To make it easier to see the details on your bird friends, consider using a pair of inexpensive binoculars. You can take pictures or videos from your smartphone or make a birding journal to document your winged visitors. 

Commit to an Exercise Routine or Daily Walk

As you likely learned in-home health care training, seniors are very routine-oriented. So, begin a new routine where they can join and make exercising part of it. This routine gives you both a chance to get outdoors and enjoy the cool, fresh air. Whether it is just a walk to the store or around the park, this can become an essential part of your day together. Also, try to take this walk at the same time each day. Even if your elderly loved one is in a wheelchair, they with appreciate taking in the smells and sights or watching the kids playing in the snow. 

Music Therapy

Music can boost your mood and lift your spirits with its healing harmonies. You can develop a playlist filled with tunes you and your senior loved one both enjoy. The two of you can get energized with a morning playlist and relax and sleep better with an evening playlist. 

Daily Journal

Getting your highs, lows, anxieties, and fears down on paper can be helpful in processing difficult emotions. If you prefer not to write, you can also consider creating an art journal. 

Caregiver Respite

If you are unable to shake off winter blues, you may require a few days away from the demands of caregiving. Understand that taking care of yourself is just as vital as taking care of your senior loved one. Whether it is to just enjoy a massage or pedicure, take a short vacation, or a short visit at a senior living community, respite may be your solution to be a better caregiver.

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