Color therapy is a type of holistic healing that uses light and color to boost a person’s emotional, physical, and mental health. If your elderly loved one receiving Mississauga home care has one of the following ailments, color therapy may help alleviate the symptoms in a safe and natural way.
For Seniors with Insomnia
Many seniors have difficulty sleeping due to general aches and pains or restlessness.You can help your loved one get a better night’s sleep by changing the color of his or her bedroom. Try adding bedding, pillows, and artwork in shades of white, blue, and green. These colors are commonly found in nature and tend to have a calming influence.
For Seniors with a Decreased Appetite
Medications, mental state, and physical ailments can all affect appetite, but red and orange colors can help stimulate the mind and increase energy. If you have trouble getting your loved one to eat, try adding splashes of red and orange around the kitchen and dining room. For example, serve your loved one’s meal on a red plate or placemat and add flowers to the table. Red is also useful in combating fatigue, low iron, and low blood pressure.
For Seniors with Depression
If your loved one seems depressed, try bringing more yellow into the house or dressing him or her in a yellow shirt. Yellow can evoke feelings of joy and boost emotional wellbeing. It can also help increase your loved one’s concentration, making it a perfect color to use wherever he or she likes to read or do crossword puzzles.
For Seniors with Daytime Sleepiness
Many seniors find it difficult to stay alert and focused during the day due to medications or health conditions like dementia. Bright colors like yellow and orange are stimulating and can help your loved one stay awake. Yellow is also believed to have beneficial effects on the nervous and digestive systems.
For Seniors with Stress and Anxiety
White and blue are particularly soothing colors and foster feelings of peacefulness and balance. Seniors receiving Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Mississauga often have rooms painted in these colors because they can be especially helpful in reducing anxiety and bouts of aggression associated with these conditions.
Color therapy is safe for seniors to try, and you might be surprised to see the positive effect it has on your loved one’s emotional wellbeing. For other ways to help your loved one maintain a good quality of life, reach out to Home Care Assistance. We offer part-time and live-in care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, stroke, and Parkinson’s care for Mississauga seniors. For more information on our in-home care services, call one of our qualified Care Managers at 905-337-1200 to schedule your complimentary in-home consultation.