Elder Care in Oakbrook, IL: How to Tell if Your Loved One is Dealing with Winter Blues or Something more Serious

Do you know if your loved one, who is receiving any form of elder care, is dealing with the basic winter blues? What if it’s something more serious? How can you tell the difference between someone who is just a bit worn out by winter and someone who is feeling depressed, even to the point of being ‘clinically’ depressed?

The only way that you’re going to know whether your elderly loved one is dealing with a depression that is more significant than just winter blues is to be able to observe them, or to be able to talk to the elderly home care provider who is working with them. In many cases, these professionals have a great deal of insight that can provide you with a reasoned and unbiased perspective. At the same time, though, you know your loved one better than most people, so you’d be able to assess certain behaviors and characteristics to determine if they are feeling depressed or they’re just ready for winter to be over.

What are winter blues? When a person can’t get out to enjoy the outdoor air nearly as often as he or she would like, mostly because they are stuck inside as the weather turns cold, they can experience a certain level of depression that is the result of feeling trapped inside. The longer that winter drags on for, the more likely it is that people will feel anxious for spring, to be able to open the windows, and to get back outside and experience life beyond the walls of their home.

This level of depression is considered mild and it will generally be lifted once the weather turns warm. There are things that you can do to help someone dealing with winter blues, such as get them out of the house and involved in some kind of activity. Even going to the movie theater once every other week can help break up those drab winter blues.

Depression is a prolonged sense of unhappiness. There may not be a particular cause of this depression, as it may be chemically based. However, this can take a toll on their physical health and not just their mental or emotional well being.

If you suspect that your loved one who receives elder care could be depressed and you’re not sure if it’s related to winter blues, consult a medical professional. They can best determine your loved one’s mental state and how to move forward with any necessary treatment

For Senior Care Services in Oakbrook, IL call 708-761-4909. Serving La Grange, Oakbrook, Oak Brook Terrace, Brookfield, Westchester, Downers Grove, Berwyn, River Forest, Oak Park, Hinsdale, Chicago and surrounding communities.