If your senior parent wants to continue to live in their own home but they have been diagnosed with depression, you may be wondering if it’s a good idea for them to live alone. And it’s true that aging in place can put seniors at a higher risk for social isolation, which can make the symptoms of depression worse. But there are also some big physical and mental health benefits that seniors get from living in a familiar home that they love. And there are things that can make aging in place easier and safer for seniors that want to stay in their homes like:
Rely on In-Home Care
In-home care for seniors with depression is a great way to provide support and make sure that your senior parent is comfortable and safe. When seniors have in-home care they get the benefit of daily visits and socialization which can help lessen the impact of the symptoms of depression. They also get assistance with activities of daily living, running errands, cooking meals, keeping the house clean, doing the laundry, and getting to medical appointments. In-home care also means that someone will be checking to make sure that your senior parent is taking any medication they are supposed to take for their depression and making sure that their medication doesn’t run out.
Voice Assistants And Smart Cameras
In-Home Care in Westminster CO
Voice assistant devices and smart or Wifi cameras can help you keep an eye on your loved one from far away. With a voice activated assistant your senior parent can turn on music, get the news, or even call you or a friend without getting out of bed or getting out of their chair. That can be very helpful for a senior with depression. And you can talk to them or call them and they don’t need to get up to answer the phone. With smart or Wifi cameras you can pull up an app on your phone and see them with the camera to make sure they are ok and you can talk to them as well. It’s never been easier to stay connected to a loved one.
Social Media
Social media has a lot of pitfalls but it can also help seniors that are struggling stay connected to the world. With social media seniors can stay connected to friends and family while also sharing their own feelings and what’s going on for them. Your senior loved one that struggles with depression may also be able to social media to find other seniors who have depression and connect with them. The more social interaction seniors get the healthier they will be.
Video Calls
Video chats can’t replace the joy of a physical visit but for seniors with depression being able to see you and talk to you can really help when their depression symptoms are intense. You can use a wide range of video chat options to connect with your senior loved one through video. Even if you are just chatting about the day or watching the same show at the same time video chats give some sense of connection which can help seniors who are depressed.
If You Or An Aging Loved One is Considering In-Home Care in Westminster, CO, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 720-780-7755.
