Everyone is susceptible to sadness, especially the elderly. However, it might be difficult to identify signs of sadness in your aged relatives, and they may struggle to recognize them within themselves. Many things can cause depression in the elderly, including chronic pain, a spouse’s or close companion’s death, retirement, or feelings of isolation. It’s critical to recognize the signs of depression so you can get your loved ones the help they need.
Recognizing some of these indicators of depression and symptoms can assist you to identify depressive behavior among the elderly:
SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
• Lack of Energy
• Feelings of Despair
• Sadness
• Memory Problems
• Loss of Interest
• Thoughts of Suicide
• Weight/Appetite Loss
• Sleep Disturbances
• Drug/alcohol use
• Ignoring Personal Hygiene
• Lack of Motivation
• Self Loathing
Despite these signs and symptoms of depression, they might be induced by drug side effects if you’re taking several at once. Because we break down medications more slowly as we get older, the elderly are more susceptible to their negative effects.
In addition to specific medications, certain medical conditions can cause confusion and attention deficits, which resemble symptoms of depression either directly or indirectly.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT CAN CAUSE SYMPTOMS
• Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Heart Disease
• Cancer
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Lupus
It’s critical to recognize the signs of depression so you can get your loved ones the help they need.
WHAT TO DO?
Stay healthy – A holistic approach to overall mental, physical, and spiritual well-being can help to relieve depression. Getting enough sleep and quality sleep are two easy ways to boost bad sleep. Exercising also increases the production of endorphins and adrenaline, which lifts your spirits. To be healthy, you don’t need to go to the gym to exercise; a brisk walk around the block will do. Also, try to eat healthy and balanced meals as much as possible. Playing with your kids, cleaning your house, or going for a walk in the park can all help you stay active. What you put on the outside of yourself is just as important as what you put into it on the inside. Eating too few calories or meals that do not include adequate vitamins and minerals might induce feelings of sadness and drowsiness.
Stay engaged – When you’re sad, it’s all too easy to sit and mope. When you participate in activities with others, on the other hand, you can alleviate depression symptoms by doing so. The more socializing you do, the better you’ll feel. You may also improve your social circle by attending events such as book readings and painting sessions if you’re into those things. When you’re with other people, it’s also a good idea to be active and do things that make you feel good.
Seek help – Sadness is a normal emotion, therefore you should never be ashamed to get professional help. Because elderly individuals are more prone to negative medication side effects, antidepressants should be used cautiously. Depression may be effectively treated with a combination of behavioral and pharmacological methods. Therapy and lifestyle adjustments might aid in the successful treatment of depression.
Avanti Senior Living at Vision Park
Avanti Senior Living at Vision Park offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with on-site amenities and activities to enjoy. Our residents have a fitness center, beauty salon, library, and more. In addition to assisting them with medical visits, we assist our clients with medical appointments, transportation, and errands.
Avanti Senior Living at Vision Park has a holistic approach to improving the quality of life for our residents. We aim to encourage physical, mental, and emotional wellness through a variety of activities while also offering residents freedom in a flourishing setting.
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of depression, contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
