A care provider is offering advice to the elderly on how to prevent seasonal depression.

Abacare, which has offices in Ystradgynlais and Newtown, says symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - which affects people of all ages - are worse during the winter as a result of the darker days and colder weather.

Top tips offered by the care agency include: to get as much natural light as possible including sitting by windows; to take up a new hobby or join a new group; to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables; and, to stay warm.

Branch manager Joe Jenkins said: “The majority of our service users are elderly and at this time of year our carers are trained to keep a much closer eye on them for symptoms of SAD, which is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern.

“At this time of year it’s much easier to develop due to colder weather and dark evenings and the fact that many people have spent Christmas alone.

“Symptoms of SAD include a persistent low mood, a loss of pleasure or interest in normal, everyday activities, irritability, sleeping for longer than normal and finding it harder to get up in the morning, and craving carbs and gaining weight.”

Abacare, which provides care for elderly and vulnerable people, also recommends light therapy via a light box - which gives out more light than an ordinary home or office lighting to mimic the sun - or a dawn simulator.

A dawn simulator can be connected to an alarm clock and will get brighter gradually, mimicking a sunrise to wake up users more naturally.

For more information visit the Abacare website or you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Alternatively, you can call the Ystradgynlais office on 01639 844155.