Caregiving Tips on Helping to Cope with the Shorter Winter Days

Image Attribution: Anslatadams via Creative Commons Flickr

Many people are prone to depression during the winter months when the days are short. The same is true for people living with dementia. Since this population cannot put in place any plans to mitigate the effects of low light, it is up to the caregivers to do so for them.

Here is a blueprint for combatting withdrawal and depression for those with dementia:

1. Make the most of the bright mid-day sun. The sun is brightest in a window between 11 am and 1 pm. Plan your day so that you are able to take your loved one outside in this time frame. The combination of fresh air, and bright sun is energizing, and the direct sunshine will boost levels of Vitamin D.

2. Go to a bright indoor space on cloudy or cold days. You will have to do some scouting to locate suitable nearby destinations on cold and cloudy days. One possibility is a local shopping mall, which usually offer very brightly lit indoor areas. The best time to go to such a place is when it is quiet, so avoid malls on the weekend or other days that are heavy shopping days.

3. Make sure the lighting inside the home is bright and plentiful. As the sun sinks low, increase the lighting inside to minimize the sense of darkness coming on. Installing dimmers can make it easier to adjust the lighting as needed to provide a bright environment in a variety of light conditions.

For the full list of tips visit: http://whiteoakcottages.com/coping-with-short-winter-days/