While the autumn months bless us with all sorts of beautiful colours as the leaves change colour, they do bring with them certain risks and hazards for older people.
As such, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the issues that can crop up at this time of year so that you can both protect yourself and your loved ones, while still enjoying this wonderful time of year.
Here’s how autumn can impact older people and what you can do to help them make it through to spring in one piece.
Increased fall risk
With the wetter, colder weather comes an increased risk of slips, trips and falls, as hard surfaces become slippery. Fallen leaves collecting on the ground can further increase the risks, particularly for anyone who struggles with their balance and reaction times.
Make sure that your loved ones wear appropriate well-fitting shoes with good grip when outside, while keeping hard surfaces on your property in a good state of repair, as well as cleaning up any dirt and debris regularly to reduce the risks.
Increased social isolation
As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, it becomes harder for older people to go outside and they may spend more time by themselves as a result. This can increase the risk of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety setting in.
To help address this, check in with your loved ones more often than you might do otherwise. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay an in-person visit more often – even a phone call can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Another option is to consider companionship care, where a private nurse or other such care provider visits you or your relative regularly. This service can be tailored to suit your specific requirements, whether you need someone to pop by for an hour or two, or for a longer stay – all depending on what exactly it is you need.
The idea here is to develop a long-lasting relationship over time, with compassion, conversation, emotional support and company provided to bring joy and connection to you or a loved one every day.
Seasonal affective disorder
As the daylight hours dwindle over the coming weeks, it’s possible that you might start feeling a little blue.
This is very common and may be a condition called seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that coincides with seasonal patterns and which is particularly prevalent at this time of year.
Symptoms include persistent low mood, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, sleep issues, feeling anxious, tearful or sad, appetite changes, physical aches and pains, no interest in socialising and so on.
To help your loved one manage this condition, try to get them out during the day so they can enjoy more natural light and try to encourage them to get regular exercise, even if it’s something light.
Light therapy can also help with hormone regulation and alignment of your circadian rhythm to boost energy, reduce fatigue and improve your mood.
