Recognizing Depression In Our Senior Loved Ones
There is a part of life where people go through a period of time when they just want to be isolated with their thoughts for a while to sort out circumstances in their lives or simply to experience some downtime without distractions. However, for seniors, being isolated for too long might signify a serious condition - depression.
At Foothills Home Services, our experienced caregivers understand depression in seniors and offer several care options to help fight the battle.
What To Look For
Change in Sleep - depression can have major effects on sleep patterns, including trouble with falling or staying asleep, trouble awakening, or trouble staying alert and awake during the day.
Deprivation - look for signs of losing the desire to eat, losing weight, a loss of self-worth, disinterest in activities or hobbies that were previously enjoyed, or a loss in time spent with family or friends.
Slowing Down - observe if your senior loved ones' movements or speaking have slowed down, if it takes the senior longer than before to talk about or recall memories, or if motivation or energy are lessened.
Forgetfulness: look for changes in how your senior companion takes care of his or herself - if they have always been careful about maintaining good personal hygiene and taking care of their appearance and then abruptly start to neglect personal care. Be aware of any other vital changes like forgetting to take medicine, eating a meal, etc.
Medical conditions may also make depression worse, so be especially mindful if your senior loved one has been impacted by any of the following:
Cancer
Stroke
Heart disease
Parkinson’s disease
MS
Thyroid conditions
What To Do If You Suspect Depression
If you see any of the changes mentioned above, it is extremely important to take action and not shrug it off as something the senior will get over on his or her own. Depression is a chronic medical condition that requires treatment to recover. If you believe your senior companion may be suffering from depression, contact their family doctor immediately - depression can be treated, and the sooner treated, the better!
What You Can Do To Help
After seeking help from the doctor, your senior loved one will most likely be prescribed an anti-depressant; while extremely effective, these medications will take several weeks to kick in, so in the meantime, here are a few actions you can take to help day to day
Promote a sense of purpose - gently encourage taking up a hobby such as knitting or gardening, card playing, yoga, or even volunteering for a local charity.
Encourage physical activity - gentle exercises such as walking, stair climbing, and age-appropriate workouts can help a senior stay in good physical, mental, and emotional shape.
Get them a pet - For mobile seniors, a dog would make a perfect companion, make them feel loved and needed and also keep them physically active. For immobile seniors, a cat, bird, or even a fish will do! It is the sense of responsibility that comes along with a pet that can have a great impact on a person's life.
Promote a healthy diet - Fiber-rich food such as fruit and vegetables are a must for seniors, as are whole grains and lean protein. Minimize sugar, starch, and unhealthy fats.
What Foothills Home Services Can Do To Help
You are not alone! The knowledgeable caregivers at Foothills Home Care have been helping aging adults through senior depression and other aging conditions for over 20 years.
A companion is a powerful tool in helping battle depression, and for your senior loved one, Foothills Home Services can provide that. Offering friendly companionship to help encourage them to participate in exercise programs and social activities, preparing healthy and nutritious meals, and much more, there is a care plan for your senior loved one, and companionship is at the core!
Reach out to us any time to learn more about our home care services in Calgary and the surrounding communities.
