Wintertime can be difficult for a lot of people. In some parts of the country it can be cold and miserable. Trust me, my family is originally from New York and New England. I’ve seen some pretty cold, dreary winters.
But winter is tough for some for other reasons. The reduced amount of sunlight can make mental health a struggle for a lot of people even if they live in warmer climates. There are studies out there that show that lamps meant to reproduce sunlight that are used within the home can help to beat some of the winter blues. These units can be pretty cost effective and can be helpful for some people.
This isn’t always effective against seasonal affective disorder, however. If you have concerns about mental health, it is always imperative that you speak with a doctor or another medical professional that has the training to help out with this. While there are some things that can be done on your own, working with a doctor is always the best choice. Mental health is something that we can easily brush aside, and it’s something that seniors often do so without a second thought. However, this doesn’t need to be a taboo subject. A medical professional can offer a great deal more insight than this blog ever will be able to. Please call your doctor with any questions.
Winter also brings with it a higher likelihood of illnesses just because more people are indoors and closer together during this time of year. Things like colds and the flu are more prevalent during the winter and when you have a population that is even more vulnerable than they typically would be without these added risk factors the health complications can quickly add up.
Finally, winter is colder throughout the U.S. Some parts of the country are impacted more heavily than others, but many seniors have issues that make body temperature regulation more difficult. This can make existing health conditions worsen or reduce the immune system’s natural defenses against illnesses that otherwise would be easily fought off. This can be more pronounced when it comes to respiratory illnesses like COPD or asthma. Recently, the U.S. has seen a big uptick in RSV cases, as well. Seniors can find this to be a dangerous virus.
Winter doesn’t need to be a hurdle. When the right precautions are taken, it’s just another season of life.
However, sometimes we need to be aware of the hurdles in life that are before us before they can be cleared. Just being aware that winter might be harder for some people can help us all to take precautions and address the issues more effectively.
If you have questions about senior care and how it can help your family, please feel free to get in touch. Whether you’re reading this during the wintertime or any other time, we’re here to help. Give us a call and schedule a free consultation session to go over your questions and concerns with a professional caregiver. We’re always happy to talk about how care fits in with your life.
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