Health & Fitness
Exercise, Monitoring Can Combat Holiday Depression in Seniors
Depression, one of the most common conditions the elderly face, is particularly prevalent at the holidays. Here's how to help the senior in your life have a happy holiday season.
Depression, one of the most common conditions the elderly face, is particularly prevalent at the holidays. Plantation South Duluth has focused on finding innovative ways to combat holiday depression residents may experience.
I often sees residents who feel lonely or depressed at the holidays. Seniors can have an especially hard time with the holidays, causing them to keep to themselves and avoid the season’s activities. It's increasingly important to provide innovative, active programming and exercise offerings throughout the holiday season to help seniors combat depression.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the risk of depression in seniors increases with other illnesses and as functions become limited. Somewhere between 5 and 11 percent of all seniors struggle with major depression, and an estimated 5 million seniors have subsyndromal depression, or symptoms of depression without meeting the full diagnostic criteria.
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Exercise has proven to be effective in helping individuals with mild to moderate depression overcome the disease, as shown in research from Boston University released this past year. When done for 75-150 minutes a week, aerobic exercise has proven to be the most effective. Research has yet to examine the effects of strength training on depression.
Plantation South Duluth has recently made efforts to expand and build upon our current exercise program, including daily morning exercise classes, a balloon volleyball program, horse shoes and chair exercise classes. We've also added bowling to our offerings, which has been popular with residents.
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Whether your senior is in an assisted living facility or you're the sole caregiver, finding new, fun and physical activities for your senior can have a substantial impact on your senior's mood this holiday season. This, coupled with careful monitoring of their eating and sleeping habits, can give you a better idea of how happy the senior in your life is. In addition, it's important to pay close attention to their contributions to conversations and their interest in activities or traditions that once interested them.
If you notice any substantial changes, encourage the senior in your life to visit a doctor to discuss.
