Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder: Wellness Tips for Seniors in Peoria

To summarize:

• Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD with summer-onset, is a seasonal mood change much like its more common winter variety
• Sensitivity to heat and light can cause people's routines to be upset, causing an onset of depression
• Working with the care team in Heart Peoria can give people a better opportunity to find a temporary solution while they seek permanent support

The verdant city of Peoria, IL enjoys refreshing summers and mild winters. However, this is not perfect for everyone. Reverse seasonal affective disorder can often present with a low mood and irritability during summer, or sleep trouble due to heat. It can interfere with one's daily routines, causing a person to feel out of control of their own life, making structured days all the more important.

Read on to discover how staff, family, and caregivers can watch for the pattern changes that suggest SAD is occurring and what to do if these symptoms persist. Learn how our Assisted Living teams handle such situations, and how to react yourself.

How Do You Fix Summer SAD?

Start by attempting to determine the patterns that lead to you feeling depressed due to the summer. Whether they be:

• Time of day
• Sleep shifts
• Social withdrawal
• Temperatures

You can then take steps to mitigate the specific things that exacerbate your feelings. For example:

Use natural light: Seek out natural light in the morning and close the curtains in the evening to help establish a healthy circadian rhythm.

Keep rooms cool: Fans, breathable clothing, shaded spaces, and air conditioning can help reduce heat stress.

Engage socially with others: Short chats or participating in events and activities can motivate individuals and give them a sense of purpose.

Seek therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can often give people the skills they need to change their habits when depression sets in during the summer.

Is There a Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder for Summer?

Yes, there is a clear pattern in how some people's bodies respond to seasonal changes. The symptoms of SAD include recognizable signs of depression, and can be caused by the effects of summer, although this is much rarer than winter SAD.

Signs of Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder in Older Adults

There is a long list of potential signs of SAD. However, some of the more common ones include:

• Irritability or a low mood
• Poor sleep and waking early in the morning
• Decreased appetite and unintentional weight loss
• Excessive energy and increased agitation
• Slipping attention
• Sensitivity to noise and light
• Increased thirst
• Dizziness
• Rapid pulse

If you find these affect you, especially if you notice a mental wellness symptom such as suicidal thoughts or difficulties finding joy in hobbies or other activities, seek out professional help as soon as possible.

Daily Routines for Seasonal Mood Balance

While a lack of sleep may interfere, try to use regular routines to balance your interactions and give you a sense of purpose.

If sleep eludes you, use meal times to anchor these. The nutritious food available at the Sensations dining room at Heart Peoria can even do this without requiring you to put in the effort to cook for yourself. For example, they can offer more vitamin D for seniors who may have trouble getting the right amount of sunlight.

Living Options That Support Summer Mood

Heart Peoria offers several living options, each providing different types of support to residents tailored to their individual needs.

For example, Assisted Living activities and support can include ensuring that residents attend the exercise events they wish to participate in, as well as helping them with socializing and encouraging them to engage in sufficient physical activity.

Meanwhile, those in Memory Care can receive reminders and guidance to help maintain predictable routines. Staff can help those receiving Memory Care support by reducing overstimulation during the summer months. Lowering the light in their apartment is one way that this can occur and help them prevent SAD symptoms.

Doing this isn't just useful for SAD, but Delaney et al (2025) report that those suffering from dementia are more at risk of heat stroke and other conditions. As such, our staff will work to make sure those in Memory Care get the attention they need to stay safe at all times. 

Winter Emotional Health FAQ

Are Summer Blues a Thing or is It Something Else?

The "summer blues" can really happen. SAD with summer onset can be diagnosed as a formal condition. It can be triggered by many signs of summer, including:

• Heat
• Light
• Schedule changes

If you find that symptoms of SAD appear to persist for several weeks or start to impair your ability to function, we would recommend that you seek out a clinician for an evaluation.

Is Seasonal Depression a Form of Bipolar?

While SAD is more common in those with depression or bipolar disorder, they are not the same thing. The presentation of both may change with the use of different health and medications, for example.

However, having bipolar disorder, especially bipolar II, which can come with repeated depressive episodes, one may find that it worsens what may have otherwise been a milder case of summer-onset SAD.

Does Seasonal Affective Disorder Get Worse With Age?

While it doesn't worsen due to age per se, instead, many seniors may find it harder to move out of the heat as easily, potentially feeling trapped in air-conditioned areas.

As such, they may start to feel depressed due to a lack of mobility and the freedom it brings.

Having the support of a local community and plenty of opportunities to engage socially with others can instead offer a chance to boost the mood of those who suffer from SAD.

Get Ready for the End of Summer

Small, steady changes to one's lifestyle, such as cooler rooms, blackout curtains, and timed lighting, can help support someone with reverse seasonal affective disorder.

Having a calendar, such as the events and activities available at Heartis Peoria, can help someone escape the feeling of being trapped in their apartment. Meanwhile, our Sensations dining experience, which includes chef-prepared meals, gives many a great opportunity to socialize.

If you would like to learn more about the programs we offer at Heartis Peoria, please get in touch. Schedule a tour and discover the full range of what we have to offer.