Depression risk for elders increases in winter

BY CAROL ABAYA

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Question: My father died last summer and this is the first winter without him. My mother, 76, who lives alone, has become reclusive and depressed. She says she's OK and refuses to see a doctor. What can we do to bring back the spark to her personality?

Answer: More than a third of older people suffer from SAD — seasonal affected depression. SAD can adversely affect moods, the feeling of well-being, and quality of life. The long dreary dark days of winter and the cold can trigger SAD.

People always talk about the weather, and if it's extreme, they talk about it obsessively and negatively. This can result in SAD. January and February are the worst months for SAD. The days are shorter, and darkness closes down many people's minds and trigger negative feelings.

Because people may be forced to stay home more, feelings of isolation and loneliness are more extreme. Some hibernate, stay in bed all day. Others crave carbohydrates which may increase energy in the short term, but which adversely impact overall nutrition.

Using a "deflection" strategy can help elders focus on more positive, happier things. You need to look for happy triggers. The more one is able to help older parents focus away from problems and negatives, the less likely SAD will occur.

What are the sources of a person's joy? What events do they have to look forward to? If a person has something good to look forward to, depression. is reduced. Listen, visit, and talk about the good things that are happening.

Advice: Brighten up the day. Bring color, outdoor smells and "life" into the elder's home.

Flowering plants bring in a sense of outdoors.
Colorful cut flowers help cheer a person up.
Potpourri or scented candles bring in outdoor smells.
Pets provide a tie to another living thing.
Buy, and have an elder wear, bright colored clothes.
Set the table with a bright tablecloth with dishes in a contrasting color.

The "people connection" element also helps reduce the feeling of isolation. Encourage elders to maintain pen pals or frequent telephone calls to friends.

Send video tapes and pictures of family activities when there is a geographic distance.
When family members travel, send pictures so the elder can look at them and have a sense of "connection."
Encourage the elder to develop a family tree with the help of other family members.
Encourage the elder to write each adult child a letter remembering happenings when the child was small.
Rent oldies video tapes or books on tape for those with poor eyesight.

And some more simple ways to reduce the winter gloom:

Light up the house. Put larger bulbs in lamps and ceiling fixtures.
Put lamps on a timer, so the rooms used more often are bright at night.
Put on lively or soothing music to enhance that important "connection" element.
Vacation in a warmer climate.

The Sandwich Generation (R) is an interactive column. Readers should send their questions to Ms. Abaya via her Web site sandwichgeneration.com or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Questions will be answered directly or in this column. The words "The Sandwich Generation" are trademarked by Carol Abaya.