December is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month. Each year, millions of Americans are affected by this condition, which brings on significant mood changes in response to the changing of seasons.

Typically SAD occurs during late fall and winter months, when there is less sunlight and colder weather. The symptoms usually lift during the spring and summer months.

SAD is a type of depression, so the symptoms look similar to depression symptoms, and can include:

• Sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in formerly enjoyable activities
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Overeating (or conversely, lack of appetite)
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions
• Social withdrawal
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Answering the question “what should I eat?” doesn’t need to leave you feeling baffled and frustrated. In fact, when you have the right information and motivation, you can feel good about making healthy choices. Use these tips to plan healthy and delicious meals:

• Plan in advance. Meal planning takes the guesswork out of eating and can help ensure you eat a variety of nutritious foods throughout the day.

• Find budget-friendly foods. Create a shopping list in advance to help stick to and follow healthy recipes.

• Consider preparation time. Some meals can be made in as little as five minutes. If you love cooking, or if you’re preparing a meal with or for friends or family, you may want to try something a little more challenging.

• Keep calories in mind. The number of calories people need each day varies by individual. Always discuss your weight and fitness goals with your health care provider before making big changes.

Food provides the nutrients and energy you need as you age. Find more tips for making healthy food choices a part of your daily life.

People 65 years old and older take prescribed medications more frequently than any other age group in the United States. Most older adults take several medicines to treat chronic illnesses. You can lower your risk of problems with medications, keep the following tips in mind and ask questions of your healthcare professional or pharmacist.

Make a List

Keep a list of all the medications you take. This list should include prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, herbal remedies, vitamins, and other supplements. Remember to also list medications that are not pills, such as patches, inhalers, injections, creams, and ointments. 

Your list should contain the medication dosage and frequency of use, and what the medicines are for. Bring the list with you to all healthcare professional visits.

Review your Medications Regularly

When you see your healthcare provider, go over your list of medications and questions with them. This is especially important after you’ve been in the hospital or have seen another provider.

Read all prescription labels carefully. You will find the following information:

• Directions for taking your medications
• What to take or not take with the medicines (e.g., food, drink, other medicines)
• Possible side effects and things to watch for

Look out for Side Effects

Ask what side effects your medications can cause and watch for them. Tell your healthcare professional as soon as possible about any problems.

Remember: Don’t stop taking a medication without first checking with your healthcare provider.

Ask about Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

OTC medications are sold at pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, or discount stores. You can buy these medicines on your own without a prescription. Examples of OTC medications include:

• Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain or fever
• Allegra (fexofenadine) for allergies
• Tums (calcium carbonate) for heartburn or calcium supplement

Some OTC medications can make your condition worse, cause side effects, or may interact with other medicines making them less safe or effective.

Some OTC medication labels are for younger people and do not contain warnings for older adults. Be sure to ask your pharmacist about the correct dose of OTC medications for your use and careful not to take too much.

Review Medications While You're in the Hospital

If you are in the hospital, make sure the hospital care team knows about all the medicines you take at home. While in the hospital, this team will be responsible for giving you the medicines you need. Do not take any medications on your own.

Sometimes, you may get new medications during your hospital stay. Ask if you need to continue them and/or your home medicines after you leave the hospital.

Take Your Medication Properly

As many as half of older adults don’t follow their healthcare provider’s recommendations about how to take their medications.

For older adults, some issues include:

• Difficulty reading, understanding, or remembering directions on labels. The print may be too small or directions may be unclear. What to do: Talk with your pharmacist about directions when you pick up your medications.
• Healthcare providers not providing enough information about the importance of taking medications properly. For example, high blood pressure or cholesterol medicines are important to take, even though the conditions often don’t have symptoms. What to do: Talk with your pharmacist about directions when you pick up your medications.
• Trouble opening medicine containers. What to do: Your pharmacist can give you a medication cap that is easy to open.
• Medications being too expensive to buy. What to do: Some drug companies have a patient assistance program to help those who cannot afford their medicines. There may also be government programs that can help. Ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist.

If you have trouble taking your medication or care for an older adult who has difficulties, discuss it with the healthcare provider. They may have solutions for you.

When the temperature drops, older adults run a higher risk of health problems and injuries related to the weather, including hypothermia, frostbite, and falls in ice and snow.

Like most things in life, it is better to be prepared. Here are a few precautions everyone should take, especially older adults, during the winter.

• Make sure steps and walkways are clear before you walk. Be especially careful if you see wet pavements that could be iced over. 
• Clear away snow and salt your walkways at home, or hire someone to do it.  
• Wear boots with non-skid soles – this will prevent you from slipping. 
• If you use a cane, replace the rubber tip before it is worn smooth.
• Consider an ice pick-like attachment that fits onto the end of the cane for additional traction.
• Watch for uneven sidewalks or wet leafy areas, which can lead to trips and falls.

You can exercise outdoors in the winter, but take a few extra steps to stay safe before braving the cold. Exposure to cold can cause health problems such as hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature.

If you want to do outdoor activities when it's cold outside:

• Check the weather forecast. If it’s very windy or cold, exercise inside with videos online and go out another time.
• Watch out for snow and icy sidewalks.
• Warm up your muscles first. Try walking or light arm pumping before you go out.
• Pick the right clothes. Wear several layers of loose clothing. The layers will trap warm air between them. Avoid tight clothing, which can keep your blood from flowing freely and lead to loss of body heat.
• Wear a waterproof coat or jacket if it’s snowy or rainy. Wear a hat, scarf, and gloves.
• Learn the signs of hypothermia

We’ve selected a variety of online fall prevention courses for you through GetSetUp, an organization created by older adults, to help people 55+ learn new skills, connect with others, and unlock new life experiences. 

All those 60+ are welcome and workshops are free when using passcode "area4-ca". 

Subaru's Share the Love Event is back to help deliver meals and support to America’s seniors! We're honored to be a Subaru of America Share the Love Event charitable partner for the 17th consecutive year. 

For every new Subaru vehicle bought or leased between November 21 and January 2, Subaru and its retailers will donate a minimum of $300 to a charity, like Meals on Wheels Yuba Sutter (a funded program of AAA4), for every vehicle leased or sold. Click button below to find out how you can take part!

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. The materials or product were a result of a project funded by a contract with the California Department of Aging.