Greater Cape Ann Chamber  of  Commerce
  • About Us
    • Mission & About
    • Meet the Team
    • 2023 Board of Directors
    • Past Presidents
    • Committees & Councils
    • Small Business Week
    • Chamber History Timeline
    • Visitor Centers
    • Cape Ann Community Foundation
    • Contact Us
  • Membership
    • Member Directory
    • Welcome New Members
    • Non-Profit Chamber Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Membership Levels
    • Member Testimonials
    • Member Committees
      • Ambassadors Committee
      • Business Education Collaborative
        • Scholarships
        • Greater Cape Ann Career and Educational Advancement Fair
      • Businesswomen’s Committee
      • Cape Ann Development Warriors
      • Cape Ann Innovators Collaborative
      • Contractor’s Division
      • Government Affairs Council
      • Health & Wellness Committee
      • IDEA Committee
      • Next Generation Cape Ann
      • Tourism Council
    • Volunteer
    • Member Resources
      • Promotional Opportunities
      • Get Started
      • Get Noticed
      • Get Involved
      • Chamber Tutorials
      • Member Savings Programs
  • Resources
    • Business Resources
    • Chamber Resources
    • Shop Local Programs
      • Shop Our Members
      • Greater Cape Ann Gift Check
    • Scholarships
    • Job Listings
    • Member Press Releases
    • Promotional Opportunities
    • Soundings Newsletters
    • Cape Ann Business Directory
    • Community Contacts
    • Relocate
    • COVID-19 Updates
  • Events
    • Chamber Event Calendar
    • Community Event Calendar
    • Signature Events
  • Chamber Blog
  • Visit Cape Ann
    • Plan Your Trip
    • Visitor Centers
    • Visitor Guides & Maps
    • capeannvacations.com
    • rockportusa.com
    • Find a Business
    • Shop Our Members
    • Cape Ann Gift Check
    • History of Cape Ann
  • JOIN NOW!
  • Member Login
  • About Us
    • Mission & About
    • Meet the Team
    • 2023 Board of Directors
    • Past Presidents
    • Committees & Councils
    • Small Business Week
    • Chamber History Timeline
    • Visitor Centers
    • Cape Ann Community Foundation
    • Contact Us
  • Membership
    • Member Directory
    • Welcome New Members
    • Non-Profit Chamber Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Membership Levels
    • Member Testimonials
    • Member Committees
      • Ambassadors Committee
      • Business Education Collaborative
        • Scholarships
        • Greater Cape Ann Career and Educational Advancement Fair
      • Businesswomen’s Committee
      • Cape Ann Development Warriors
      • Cape Ann Innovators Collaborative
      • Contractor’s Division
      • Government Affairs Council
      • Health & Wellness Committee
      • IDEA Committee
      • Next Generation Cape Ann
      • Tourism Council
    • Volunteer
    • Member Resources
      • Promotional Opportunities
      • Get Started
      • Get Noticed
      • Get Involved
      • Chamber Tutorials
      • Member Savings Programs
  • Resources
    • Business Resources
    • Chamber Resources
    • Shop Local Programs
      • Shop Our Members
      • Greater Cape Ann Gift Check
    • Scholarships
    • Job Listings
    • Member Press Releases
    • Promotional Opportunities
    • Soundings Newsletters
    • Cape Ann Business Directory
    • Community Contacts
    • Relocate
    • COVID-19 Updates
  • Events
    • Chamber Event Calendar
    • Community Event Calendar
    • Signature Events
  • Chamber Blog
  • Visit Cape Ann
    • Plan Your Trip
    • Visitor Centers
    • Visitor Guides & Maps
    • capeannvacations.com
    • rockportusa.com
    • Find a Business
    • Shop Our Members
    • Cape Ann Gift Check
    • History of Cape Ann
  • JOIN NOW!
  • Member Login
February 6, 2020 In Health & Wellness Articles

Winter White, Winter Blues

Cape Ann Health and Wellness Group

Blues. Baby, royal or navy, we all have them. We are in the “mid bleak winter.” Dark and Cold. Frozen arctic tundra. We may not want to go outside, it’s miserable. If you are of working age, you have to go out and engage, which is a good thing. You are mostly sure footed, still have good night vision and have both physical and mental flexibility.

Fact: Elder depression is on the rise. Our retired elder family members may have increased anxiety about storms and snowfall, fears and anxiety about winter related issues: falling, power outages, transportation challenges and perhaps winter related sickness. It becomes a season of added vulnerability.

Be alert for changes in behavior. Lack of interest, decreased appetite, flat affect, refusal of invitations are warning signs that your elder is at risk. Take inventory. Proactive always beats… Reactive.

Many seniors have old lighting fixtures and use very low wattage bulbs. Brighten it up. Put lights on timers around the house and set them to go on in late afternoon. This will ease the arrival of the early darkness. Use Spotify or Pandora to bring in the happy sounds of the big bands, music of their youth. A quick visit or check in phone call, a couple of greeting cards a week. All easy, low impact interventions that can have a huge payoff, to isolated elders.

If the blues are closer to Navy than not, a visit to the PCP may be needed. More intervention may be required. The worse thing to do is … nothing at all. Sure, spring is coming…but intervention now, may be just what the Dr. ordered.

Joanne MacInnis, RN – President, Aberdeen Home Care, Inc.

Aberdeen Home Care

This article is brought to you by the Cape Ann Chamber Health & Wellness Committee

 

Related Articles

  • Health & Wellness Group - Autism Awareness Month
  • Health & Wellness Group February 2023 Update

CATEGORIES

  • Business Resources (13)
  • Cape Ann License Plate (19)
  • Cape Ann Life (25)
  • Cape Ann News (44)
  • Cape Ann Regional Grants Workshops (1)
  • Cape Ann Works (5)
  • CEO & President Monthly Update (38)
  • Chamber News (35)
  • Chamber Tourism Council (33)
  • Community Initiatives (13)
  • Dining around Cape Ann (7)
  • Events (81)
  • Government Affairs Council (37)
  • Greater Cape Ann Highlights (5)
  • Health & Wellness Articles (16)
  • Love Cape Ann Podcast (16)
  • Member News (3)
  • Member Spotlights (32)
  • Ribbon Cuttings (68)
LETS CONNECT

info@capeannchamber.com
978-283-1601

24 Harbor Loop
Gloucester, MA 01930

GET THE GUIDE
OUR MISSION

The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce serves as the Cape Ann’s leading advocate for business, promoting our members and the region’s economy, celebrating our culture, and enhancing our community’s quality of life.

GLOUCESTER 400

© Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce | All Rights Reserved