It’s that time of year when our 90-degree weather is quickly going down to the 60s, the leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter, and our loved ones are spending more time inside. When your senior chooses to age in place, the drop in temperature and change of seasons may make them head towards the indoors and stray from people. Social isolation is never a good thing, and your seniors’ spirits may fall because of everything that is changing. So, how do you keep your seniors’ spirits lifted during these darker months? Here are a few practical tips you or senior home care can use to help your senior’s mood.
Soak Up As Much Sun As Possible
Yes, the days are getting shorter, but there will still be sunny days this fall and winter. Senior home care can help ensure your loved one is dressed well for the weather and remains warm even when they venture outside. Your senior should be soaking up as much sun as possible. This will indirectly boost their mood by ensuring they are absorbing vitamins and boosting happy chemicals naturally that are found in the body. It’s important to get outside even on the deck, but remember there are tons of fall activities that your seniors may enjoy doing with the family, like apple picking or a corn maze with your kids!
Focus on Self Care
You may think focusing on self-care is selfish, but when you put yourself first, you ensure you can destress and become mentally healthy. Self-care can help reduce stress in a senior’s life by promoting relaxation, improving emotional well-being, and enhancing resilience to stressors. Engaging in self-care activities like meditation, gentle exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones can provide seniors with effective coping mechanisms and greater control. This means your loved one will feel better about their lives and be able to age gracefully at home. The more self-care they practice, the more likely they will remain independent and feel good about living at home.
Focus on Mindsets
When your mind says negative things all the time, or you’re already expecting to have a bad time during fall and winter, it becomes inevitable. You are what you think. So, one of the best things you can help your loved one do is focus on the positive things in life. There is beauty in fall that belongs to no other season, and there is something magical about the first snowfall. Keep that memory alive and remind your loved one of those small moments. These unique memories can help beat off the winter blues and help your loved one keep a positive attitude going forward.
Remember the New Year
Many seniors loved to set New years goals. For this next year, tell them to focus on their mindset and to be more positive. This can help make the winter more bearable and open your seniors up to new experiences. New Year’s Eve is during one of the coolest seasons, but your loved one can keep that celebration attitude going all year.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior home care in Pittsboro, NC, please contact the caring staff at East Carolina Home Care today. Call (919) 601-7810.
Providing quality home care for seniors and families in and around Morrisville, Apex, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Oxford, Roxboro, Carrboro, Rougemont, Pittsboro and Durham in North Carolina.
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- How to Keep Your Senior’s Spirits Up This Fall and Winter - September 22, 2023
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