Older adults and the winter blues
Winter Blues, or SAD, is a seasonal disorder that typically occurs in the winter months. Unlike, regular depression, a person who suffers from winter blues only has the condition at certain times of the year. Winter Blues occur most often in late fall and winter.
Older adults are more susceptible to winter blues because of certain biological and social factors.
Three main factors contribute to the increased risk for older adults.
• Lack of sunlight: As the days grow shorter, there is less sunlight which can affect a person’s hormones and create an environment for depression. If an older person is unable to spend time outside, they may experience more hormonal disturbance leading to depressive symptoms.
• Lack of vitamin D: Vitamin
D is processed less efficiently in an older person’s body. According to the National Institutes for Health, older people are in the at-risk category f...