COURT HOUSE – With daylight growing shorter and holiday decorations beginning to festoon the stores, it can be a sensitive time for seniors. Already more prone to depression than the young people, the problem can be exacerbated for those worrying about how the circumstances and processes of aging may change the coming holiday season. Emeritus at Cape May’s “BluesBusters” will be out in force in October to help local seniors not only survive the holidays, but thrive.
Depression affects 15% of Americans over age 65, according to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation; this figure is five percentage points higher than the incidence in the overall population.
“From experience, we know that for seniors, this time of year can be a trigger,” said Drew Robinson executive director of Emeritus at Cape May. “Increased hours of darkness can lower their spirits. Additionally, they may be thinking about how the inability to travel will keep them from spending the holidays with family. For those who have lost spouses or others dear to them, they might be worrying about getting through seasonal festivities without their loved ones at their side.”
To combat the problem, the “BluesBusters,” a group of professionals from Emeritus at Cape May, will be visiting area seniors in their homes this month to conduct a complimentary emotional wellness check, providing tools and resources to engage them in activities known to fight depression.
“These include exercise, which is a natural mood elevator; activities that give a mental and physical lift; and socializing,” said Robinson, noting that numerous studies have shown engagement with other people improves health mentally and physically.
As part of the BluesBusters’ initiative, the seniors will be invited to take part in six free activities and events at Emeritus at Cape May, such as exercise and art classes, concerts, parties and dining opportunities.
The BluesBusters effort is part of Emeritus at Cape May’s complimentary Home Visits program, in which the community’s professionals periodically visit area seniors in their homes to provide companionship and support. This outreach reflects the central operating philosophy of ‘Safely Somewhere’ of Emeritus Senior Living, parent organization of Emeritus at Cape May.
“Through this philosophy, we strive to do all we can to ensure that seniors are living in safe, meaningful environments, whether they reside at our community, in their long-time homes, or somewhere else,” said Robinson. In the past year,
Emeritus Senior Living communities nationwide have conducted more than 70,000 free Home Visits.
If you would like to recommend an area senior for a visit by the BluesBusters, contact Emeritus at Cape May at 609-463-6344or capemay-led@emeritus.com
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