The short cold days can be brutal, particularly for senior citizens. Age, a weakening immune system, and other health problems increase the elderly's sensitivity to colds, which can impact their quality of life in fall and winter. Fortunately, there are several measures to take to ensure your well-being and that of the elderly in Albany and Corvallis. Here are some from Senior Helpers Salem, OR.
Watch Out for Seasons Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD is a type of depression that mainly manifests during winter and fall. This disorder comes with extreme unhappiness and challenges in sleeping and eating.
Up to 10 million Americans experience SAD due to the changing daylight hours that rearrange the body's natural circadian rhythm causing hormonal and mood changes. While SAD can affect anybody, the elderly are more susceptible.
The effective treatment for SAD is light therapy, psychotherapy, and antidepressant medications. Before winter and fall kick in, find out more information on SAD from a certified professional so you can plan ahead.
Maintain a Warm Environment
Seniors are more susceptible to hypothermia than younger people. If their body temperature drops to 95°F or lower, they risk contracting health challenges, such as kidney problems, cardiac issues, and liver damage.
It's therefore vital to maintain a warm environment. Dress loved ones in layers of clothing, and prepare well-balanced diets and enough fluids. Also, ensure the home is warm enough, and keep them company.
Stay Active
It's easy to stay indoors, remain dormant, and crank up the heat in the fall and winter. While this helps to keep warm, it's not healthy. Even without doing anything, being cold triggers the body to burn calories.
However, staying active allows you or your elderly loved ones to beat the cold and promote their well-being by producing body heat, boosting the immune system and energy, and general body rejuvenation. Introduce activities, such as indoor workouts and games, dancing, climbing stairs, and yoga. However, ensure you consult a certified physician before starting any exercise regimen.
Eat Healthy
Hunkering down during short cold days can make you or your elderly loved one crave unhealthy comfort foods, such as baked products, gravies, and pies. Seniors can boost their weakened immune systems by eating healthy, balanced diets.
Therefore, instead of consuming comfort foods, opt for fruits and veggies. Also include whole grain fiber-rich foods, such as brown rice and bread, whole wheat pasta, unpeeled potatoes, and lean proteins.
Become a Strong Support System
Staying indoors for a long can trigger emotional issues, such as stress, depression, loneliness, and sadness, particularly in the elderly. Over 58% of Americans are lonely, with the elderly being the hardest hit; having a strong support system has never been this vital.
You can organize therapy sessions and indoor games or get them a cute pet. Alternatively, you can be the senior's support system by offering some much-needed company. Share some hot cocoa and snacks and talk the loneliness and cold away.
Stock Up
You'll be surprised at how fast a pantry can run out of supplies in the fall and winter. When running to the grocery store is painstaking, take time to stock on essentials.
Get the essentials, such as:
- Heaters
- Music
- Games
- Activity schedule
- Journal
- Groceries and water
- Lightboxes
- Generators
- Fire suppression systems
- Snow tools
- Flashlights
- Power packs
- Household items
- Trash bags
Best Prepare for The Shorter Days
Fall and winter are high-risk seasons for senior citizens with pre-existing health conditions in Dallas and Keizer. Senior Helpers Salem, OR, trains their caregivers to provide the best care during the short cold days. Contact us, Senior Helpers Salem, OR, today to learn more about how we'll improve the quality of life for your senior loved ones in the cold and short days.