Home Care in Millstone NJ

Jessica always saw her father as one of the happiest, most active people she had ever known. Even after he retired and as he went through is older years, he remained happy and engaged with the world around him. So when she noticed that he suddenly seemed down, disconnected, tired, and less willing to get out and be a part of the activities, events, and social interactions that he usually loved, she was extremely concerned. At first, Jessica decided that she should wait it out, thinking that he might have a bit of a cold or was just going through an emotional dip because of issues with his friends or other things that she did not know about. After a few weeks, however, he only seemed to be more exhausted, less interested in spending any time with her or his grandchildren, and was starting to look disheveled and ill. Jessica brought her father to the doctor, fearing something horrible was happening, and found out that the culprit behind his depressed mood was a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

After learning that her father was dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, Jessica got in touch with the elder care agency in her area and hired a home care provider. This care provider worked with her and her father to create a personalized care approach that included specific support and assistance to deal with his SAD and the impact the condition was having on his quality of life. Within a few days, Jessica’s father was obviously feeling better and she had greater peace of mind that he was going to continue being the happy, healthy, engaged father than she knew.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that is linked with the changing of the seasons, particularly the shift from the sunny days of summer to the darker, colder days of fall and winter. People with this disorder often show no signs of depression during the spring and summer, only to become depressed, withdrawn, and fatigued during the rest of the year. Most medical professionals explain this as being related to the amount of sunlight decreasing during the fall and winter months, as well as the tendencies to engage in less activity and more infrequent social activities.

Dealing with SAD can be difficult for seniors and their loved ones, who may not understand what the older adults are going through. Having an in home health care services provider in the home with your parents can help them to overcome and manage their Seasonal Affective Disorder and maintain a higher quality of life. Some of the ways she can do this include:

• Providing companionship, including conversation, activities, and just basic company to ease feelings of isolation and loneliness.

• Offering mentally stimulating activities and outings that keep the brain active and engaged, which can ease feelings of depression and listlessness.

• Providing transportation to social activities and events to ease isolation, loneliness, and feelings of disconnection.

• Getting the parents out of the home on a daily basis to maximize their exposure to the sunlight, which is vital to maintaining good mental, emotional, and physical health.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring home care services in Millstone, NJ or the surrounding areas, please call Independence Home Care today at 609-208-1111 for more information.