Editor’s Note: The following column was originally published Dec. 17, 2022.

Thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and nutrition in recent years, we are living longer than ever before. But this increase in life expectancy also brings an increase in the number of diseases, injuries and impairments that affect older adults. With this in mind, we at the local Visiting Angels office in Salem have created this series of articles to keep our older population and their families informed and to offer some practical advice for meeting the challenges faced by seniors and those who care for them.

——

The winter months can be hard for anyone, but they can be especially difficult for older adults. Less sunlight resulting from the shorter days can lead to problems with mood and depression, and the colder temperatures can have a negative effect on physical health and wellness. Some seniors may not even realize they are experiencing these winter blues, but many of the steps they should already be taking to ensure a healthy lifestyle can also help combat the ill effects of winter.

Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the best was to prevent the mental and physical health problems that seem to intensify during the winter months. The vitamins found in fresh fruit and vegetables can strengthen the immune system and make seniors less susceptible to illnesses like the common cold. Fresh produce may be harder to find or more expensive during the winter, but a healthy diet that includes a variety of different foods has also been shown to improve cognitive ability and improve mood.

It is also important to be sure that seniors are drinking enough water during the dry winter months. Older adults can be more susceptible to the effects of dehydration, either because their sense of thirst has diminished with age or because they refuse to drink enough water in an attempt to avoid more trips to the bathroom. However, prolonged severe dehydration can lead to seizures caused by an imbalance of electrolytes in the body or urinary tract infections and, in some cases, kidney failure when the body is no longer able to process wastes in the blood.

Exercise and other physical activity can also help older adults maintain a more positive outlook and fight depression over the winter months. This can also be more difficult over the winter months, when icy conditions outside make it not only unpleasant, but also unsafe. But while it may be blustery and cold outside, not all physical activity must take place outside. Many local community centers offer exercise programs, such as aquatics and aerobics, tailored to seniors, and if that is not an option, walking a few laps around the house may be the solution.

Physical activity releases endorphins into the brain, which promote a sense of emotional wellbeing and reduce stress levels. These endorphins also help to ease the feelings of depression. Exercise also boosts the body’s ability to fight off illnesses like colds and the flu, countering the natural decline that our immune systems often experience as we age.

Staying active socially can also help seniors combat the negative effects that winter can have on mood. Human beings are social creatures, but after the holidays, most seniors have fewer opportunities to interact with friends and family members. This can be especially true when winter weather conditions make driving more difficult. These days not all social interaction has to be face to face. When the weather gets bad, we can call or text our older loved ones or contact them through social media.

Not only is it important for us to check in on our older relatives whenever possible, but it’s also important that we spend time socializing with them, to let them know that they are still important to us and to make them feel valued. When the weather permits, older adults can also find fulfillment and opportunities to socialize by volunteering for a worthwhile cause.

Sometimes countering the negative effects of the winter season can be as simple as staying warm. Seniors who must go outside should dress for the weather. That means bundling up, wearing a warm coat, a hat, gloves and a scarf and make sure that any exposed skin is covered up. Inside the home, seniors should keep their thermostat set to a temperature where they feel comfortable.

Information provided by Visiting Angels, America’s choice in homecare. Visiting Angels’ non-medical homecare services allow people to continue enjoying the independence of their daily routines and familiar surroundings. To set up an appointment for a no-obligation in-home consultation, call 330-332-1203.