Seniors and Post-Holiday Blues

Seniors and Post-Holiday Blues: Why it Happens and What to Do

Seniors and Post-Holiday Blues | The holidays can be a time of joy, togetherness and connection. For seniors that are isolated from family and friends, these happy feelings can be replaced with anxiety or depression once the festivities end.

Feeling blue after the holidays is not uncommon for older adults – especially for those that are isolated from loved ones, suffering from a physical illness or those with a less busy lifestyle.

Some specific ideas for Seniors to avoid the Post-Holiday Blues include:

Plan travel and reunions: Booking a getaway, or making plans to see family and friends, can help those that live far from their loved ones. A trip or reunion doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate – scheduling an outing or dinner with the family in the coming months can help lift spirits.
Learn something new: For some seniors, anxiety and depression can be worse when they are idle. Taking up a hobby or learning a new skill can provide a challenge that is enjoyable, and activity can combat negative thinking.
Relive the best moments: Collecting photos and memories from the latest holiday season, and looking at past year’s mementos, can bring back the joy felt while celebrating. And remembering the best times can help seniors feel gratitude and connection – even when the ones they love aren’t right there.
Give back: Volunteering is a great way to ease post-holiday sadness. Helping others in need, whether it’s a short- or long-term commitment, can have a positive impact on everyone involved. And, there are volunteer opportunities available for those that are able to get out into the community as well as activities for those that have mobility issues or prefer to volunteer from their own home.
Physical activity is good for the body and soul: Fitness centers often have discounts at the beginning of the year, and there are low-impact exercises that can be done at home or outside. And physical activity can improve both the body and the mind. Older adults should always consult with their doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Dance and sing into the new year: Turning someone’s mood around can be as simple as listening to happy songs, playing an instrument or dancing the afternoon away. Seniors can ask family and friends for suggestions, make playlists of their favorite tunes or take time to rediscover an album they love.

Comfort Keepers^®Can Help

Our goal is to provide uplifting in-home care that benefits seniors and their families. The individualized care plans we create for our clients that consider physical goals as well as non-physical mental health needs. Our caregivers can provide transportation to community events, support physician-prescribed exercise regimens, provide companionship and help families stay connected through technology. We strive to elevate the human spirit through quality, compassionate, joyful care.

To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your local Comfort Keepers Orangeville location today.

Bonus Article: In-Home Care That Elevates the Human Spirit

References:

Health Resources & Services Administration. “The Loneliness Epidemic.” Web. 2019.

U.S. News. “Depression in Seniors: Why the Holidays Can Be Hard.” Web. 2018.

HelpGuide. “Depression in Older Adults: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment. Web. 2019.

WebMD. “Holiday Depression and Stress.” Web. 2018.

National Council on Aging. Mental Health this Holiday and Beyond: 4 Steps to Combat Lonliness in Seniors.” Web. 2016.

Herbal Gardening and Its Benefits

Herbal Gardening and Its Benefits – You don’t need a green thumb or a huge plot of land to reap the benefits of growing fresh herbs. Not only are herbs versatile and capable of lending great flavor to foods, and as natural remedies that benefit personal health and beauty, but the specific act of growing an herbal garden itself helps in many ways, especially for seniors.

Planting an herb garden is a wonderful way to enjoy the sights, smells and tastes of a wide variety of plants. Fresh herbs are often easy to cultivate and can grow in a small garden in the back yard, in pots on an outdoor patio or sunroom, or even in a window box inside a kitchen. Gardening is a terrific hobby and allows your senior loved one an opportunity to show his or her creativity. It is a great activity that can be shared with others like grandchildren, with friends in a club as a social activity, or even alone. Not only is gardening relaxing but it also improves hand-eye coordination, motor skills and self-esteem.

Benefits of Herbal Gardening

Herbs have many values but a few of the most common uses include aromatherapy, medicinal, as seasonings and flavorings in foods and beverages, and in salads. Many herbs are chockfull of cancer-fighting antioxidants, valuable nutrients, fat-free flavor, and more. Before beginning any herbal treatment, caregivers should check with their senior’s doctor to make certain that it does not interfere with medications that he or she may already be taking.

The Herbal Benefits:

Aromatherapy

The word Aromatherapy is derived from ‘aroma’ meaning fragrance or smell, and ‘therapy’ meaning treatment. This ancient herbal art can enhance health in many ways. It is a stress reliever and mood enhancer and can be successful in treating minor disorders. Some examples are to stimulate the immune system and strengthen your body’s ability to resist disease and infections, to alleviate digestive problems like constipation and abdominal spasms, to enhance the respiratory system to treat coughs, sinusitis and tonsillitis, to ease muscular pain by promoting relaxation and toning, improving circulation and lowering blood pressure, combating stress-related disorders like insomnia and tension headaches, and even in treating anxiety, depression, and grief. Think of growing and using relaxing herbs such as chamomile, lavender or mint, rosemary, oregano, thyme, chive and sage for this purpose. The herbs can be dried and used in potpourri, simmered in pot on the stove to release their fragrance, hung upside down and used as natural air freshener, wrapped in a gauze bag and used in a bath or even dried and steeped to make herbal tea.

In the Medicine Cabinet

In the medicinal world, herbs have been used for centuries to help with a variety of ailments. (Again, it’s important to check with your senior’s doctor before using any herbs for medicinal purposes.) ‘Old fashioned remedies’ are for the most part herb based and have been used for generations to help with conditions from upset stomachs to anxiety and even strengthening the immune system. The first apothecaries (pharmacies) were stocked with botanical ingredients. Garlic is considered to be good for the heart and cholesterol conditions and has been shown in studies to possess anti-bacterial an anti-viral properties effective in boosting the immune system and fighting all types of infections. Lemon balm, lavender, and marjoram can calm nerves and reduce anxiety. And peppermint is soothing and settling to a ‘sour stomach.’ ‘The wise, old herbs,’ as sage and rosemary are known, have been shown in studies to enhance brain function and may help to ward away Alzheimer’s disease.

In the Kitchen

Seasonings are of course the most common uses of herbs found in any herb garden. Herbs add a lot of flavor to recipes besides providing various health benefits. No herb garden would be complete without basil, oregano, sage, thyme, chives or mint to season up dinner each and every night. Consider planting some lemon basil, lemon thyme, Thai thyme or another variation of any number of great herbs that offer different flavors. Use the herbs in cooking. You can add delicious, healthy herbs to marinades, sauces and soups. Herbal vinegars are not only decorative but mineral-rich as well.

Salads can be made with many herbs and are a special treat during the spring and summer months. Consider a borage with some mesclun lettuces topped with some chives, dill, oregano and basil. It doesn’t have to stop there, many herbs lend themselves to being eaten in their raw form and add great flavor to any salad.

When looking for a healthy remedy to help your senior stay engaged, active and healthy, a small herb garden can be just what the doctor ordered in more ways than one!

Comfort Keepers^® Can Help

Comfort Keepers can help. Our caregivers can provide wellness support, remind clients to take medication, provide transportation to scheduled appointments, and support physician-prescribed exercise regimens and diets. As part of an individualized care plan, caregivers can let a senior’s care team know if there are changes in behavior or physical characteristics. Our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.

To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your the Comfort Keepers Orangeville location today.

Bonus Article: What to Expect with Home Care

References

‘Health Benefits of Gardening’, by the editors of PureHealthMD, www.DiscoveryFit&Health.com

‘Health Benefits of Planting an Herb Garden’, By Marc Courtiol, Natural Health Journals, www.NaturalHealthJournals.com

‘Therapeutic Benefit of Aromatherapy’ by Angi Kocsi, www.spasincanada.ca

“To grow old and healthy eat those old brain-favouring herbs’, by Angi Kocsi, www.spasincanada.ca

“Aromatherapy – a World of Fragrance’, by Angi Kocsi, www.spasincanada.ca

“The Multitude of Benefits from an Herb Garden’, by Linda L. Kinyon, Yahoo! Contributor Network, May 28, 2012, www.Yahoo!.com

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Seniors and Post-Holiday Blues