Depression is a big problem for older adults. It affects your senior’s quality of life and may cause her to avoid people and activities that she needs and wants to be around. As her family caregiver, there are some things that you can do to help to make this time easier for your elderly family member.
Pay Attention to Unusual Behaviors
One of the symptoms you might look for in your senior could be a pervasive feeling of sadness. The problem is that in older adults, sadness might not be part of her depression. She’s more likely to have a lot less energy than usual and more trouble concentrating and making decisions that used to be easy for her to make. She may also experience symptoms like changes to her appetite or increased feelings of anxiety.
Talk to Your Senior about How She’s Feeling
Open up a dialogue with your senior about how she’s feeling and what’s going on with her. She may not be able to fully articulate what she’s feeling, though, especially if she doesn’t quite recognize it as depression just yet. Holding space for her and exploring those feelings along with her can be really helpful.
Mention What’s Happening to Her Doctor
When you talk to your senior’s doctor, make sure that you mention what you’re seeing and what’s happening. There may be a medical cause for your senior’s depression and her doctor can take a closer look. At the very least, this is something that her doctor needs to be aware of while treating other health conditions.
Line up Senior Care Services to Keep Her Company and Help Her Out
Depression can make it difficult for your elderly family member to do some of the things she’s always done, so having some extra help is a great idea. But it’s also important to remember that not being able to do some of the things she’s always done can also be a contributing factor for depression. Senior care providers offer an understanding ear and friendly companionship as well as help.
It’s not always easy to spot depression or to know exactly what your senior needs from you. What helps a lot is that you’re willing to be there for her and that you want to help her in whatever ways you can. That can go a long way toward helping her to take the steps that she needs to take.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Senior Care in Seminole, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
