Clinical depression is common in seniors, especially among those who live alone and remain socially isolated. But it isn’t normal; it’s something that demands immediate attention from a family member or caregiver of parents and spouse. It impacts every aspect of a senior’s life, from mood and energy to interests and appetite to health and even relationships. It instills the feeling of hopelessness and helplessness, and as a result, the overall quality of life downgrades. Plus, research shows that it is linked with an increased risk of cardiac diseases and suicide among older adults.
Unfortunately, most seniors fail to recognize the symptom of depression. Even if they do, they take little or no step at all to cope with it. This is why it’s vital for family members and caregivers of parents and spouses to learn to recognize the symptoms of depression amongst seniors and how to help them cope with it and lead the highest quality of life possible.
Symptoms of Depression in Seniors
Symptoms of depression in the elderly are often misconstrued as the effects of medical conditions they have and the medicine they use, which is why depression often goes unnoticed, and the elderly continue to suffer from it. Here are a few symptoms of depression in seniors that you should know:
● Sadness or feelings of despair, hopelessness, and helplessness.
● Unexplained aches and pains.
● Disengagement from friends and family members and activities that were once enjoyed the most
● loss of appetite or weight loss
● Lack of energy and motivation
● Sleep disturbances or insomnia
● Social isolation
How to Care for Parents with Depression
Improve their engagement with others
The first step to help seniors combat depression and live a higher quality of life is to help them engage again with their life and others. As a caregiver of a parent or spouse with depression, you should interact with them more often, though without being overly anxious and worried about their health. Try to open them up by striking a conversation about their passion or things they like to do. But make sure you are there to listen to them patiently and without judgment. Try to make them comfortable enough to share anything with you.
Create a support system
Since the most likely cause of depression and anxiety in seniors is loneliness, creating a support system of friends and family members whose company they enjoy can be valuable for them in coping with depression. This system should work together to bring them back to their life daily and interact with others while partaking in activities they once enjoyed. Make sure you do not leave them alone, and even if you have to go away from home for some time, ask their friends to spend time with them or hire a compassionate caregiver.
Gently suggest them treatment
Treating depression takes time, especially in the elderly. And if you tell the elderly that they are suffering from depression and need treatment, they may resist. This is why it’s best to present your idea of undergoing treatment gently so that they agree to whatever you feel is best for them.
Talk therapy
When it comes to treating depression and anxiety, talk therapy works wonderfully. Once your senior loved one agrees to get depression treatment, seek help from a renowned therapist and schedule daily sessions, preferably at home, to help the elderly.
If you want to know more about how to care for parents with depression, consider getting in touch with Chris Cooper who is an expert on matters regarding senior care and independent living.