In the later months of winter, as the holidays come to an end and things begin to slow down – it may leave many of us with a case of the winter blues.
When it comes to older adults, the chance of becoming affected by the winter blues may be higher due to various factors. During the wintertime older adults are less likely to leave their homes due to several factors, including the fear of falls, cold or inclement weather or simply having fewer things to do after the holiday season.
Staying indoors for an extended time can cause an increase in depressive symptoms due to lower activity levels, lack of time outdoors, decrease in Vitamin D, and less social interaction.
The good news is there are ways to combat these factors. One great way to help fight the winter blues is to stay active. For older adults who live in one of Loretto’s communities or participate in the PACE CNY program, the fun doesn’t have to end with the holidays!
There are many daily programs and activities to encourage folks to stay active. Our programs and activities help our residents and participants to socialize and have fun safely – even during the winter.
Here are just a few ways for older adults to beat the blues this season:
- Go On an Outing – Many older adults may avoid going out this time of year due to the fear of falls. With Loretto’s programs, we help our residents and participants travel safely to fun outings such as bowling, museums, shopping, and more! In the meantime, we also practice fall prevention tips year-round.
- Entertainment – Staying entertained with live guests is an exciting way to break up the monotony we sometimes feel in wintertime. At Loretto, some of our residents aren’t able to venture outside in the winter. That’s why we bring the fun to them! We love inviting entertainers such as singers, storytellers, musicians, and animal experts to our communities to liven up the colder months!
- Exercise – Whether it’s swimming, Tai Chi, or chair yoga, exercise is a great way to stay active and boost your endorphins!
- Get Crafty – Creating something is a great way to have fun and engage your mind. At Loretto, you can participate in a planned activity or try some crafting of your own.
- Spend time with others – Get together with another resident or participant and play a game or do a puzzle in the community room!
- Interact with Technology – Stuck inside? Luckily there are lots of ways to stay active while indoors. At Loretto, we have lots of senior-friendly and interactive technology such as GrandPads and iN2L which help keep our residents and participants engaged.
Interested in living in a community where you can stay active and social all year round? Go to https://lorettocny.org/contact to get in touch with us today!
If you think it might be more than a case of the winter blues, you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons. If you or a loved one are dealing with SAD or any mental health disorder and need extra support, please seek professional help. Go to https://www.samhsa.gov/ to find mental health resources near you.