Care for Elders with Depression – Depression affects people of all ages and does not care whether you are 18 or 85. However, many do not realize how many of our old aged struggle with depression. Regrettably, signs of elderly depression are frequently attributed to other conditions. As a result, elderly depression often goes undiagnosed.
Unfortunately, the elderly have a significantly high rate of depression. The aged deal with a series of losses; loss of health, loss of loved ones, loss of freedom and loss of financial freedom for many. They may display symptoms of depression differently than younger people. Also, they may be much less willing to talk about their feelings.
Depression can have far reaching implications in terms of both mental and physical health. In fact, depression has been found to lower the immune system’s ability to fight infection and disease, so it is important to avoid falling into a depressive state.
There are different types of depression:
- Major depression with severe symptoms affecting a person’s ability to eat, sleep, work and function.
- Persistent depressive disorder comes with major depression in spurts lasting over a period of at least 2 years.
- Vascular depression related to changes in the brain and body due to restricted blood flow or ischemia usually occurring later in life.
- Psychotic depression.
- Postpartum depression.
- Seasonal affective disorder.
Caregivers for Elderly with Symptoms of Depressions
The rule of thumb is if you have several of the under-listed symptoms for more than 2 weeks, you may look into a depression diagnosis.
Some of the most common symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sad or anxious mood
- Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
- Irritability
- Restlessness or having trouble sitting still
- Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities, including sex
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Moving or talking more slowly
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- Change in sleep patterns in terms of difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Change in eating habits in terms of eating more or less than usual, usually with unplanned weight gain or loss
- Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause
- Frequent crying
Causes of Depression
Causes of depression include genetic predisposition, personal history, brain chemistry, stress and side effects from medications used to treat other conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Treatment
Treatments for depression include both medication and psychotherapy.
Preventing depression is critical and the best course of action since treatment and medication is not always effective and can have long term consequences.
- Keep in close touch with your elderly neighbors and relatives and be on the lookout for changes in mood and behavior.
- Keep fit with regular exercise, a balanced diet, healthy weight and avoiding illness.
Suicide is something to be very mindful of as well. In younger demographics, suicide attempts are often a cry for help and, thus, often do not succeed. However, the elderly are serious about their plans and as such are, tragically, the most successful at it.
Care for Elders with Depression
More and more depressive patients are opting for care in the comfortable surroundings of their home. This is especially the case for the elderly who are often too feeble to be moved successfully. Royal CareGivers in-home Care for Elders are able to focus specifically on providing relief to those with elderly depression and care. They are monitored by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who understand how to treat these specific symptoms and improve the quality of life.
When home healthcare becomes necessary, Royal CareGivers provides skilled home health aide services for the elderly/patients in their homes. A nurse is always available and would be happy to discuss your case with you.
No matter what level of service you need, we’re available 24/7.
When you are faced with the challenge of finding the best in-home care provider to help care for the emotional and physical well-being of someone you love, maybe your mom or dad, you will want to be confident that you are making the right choice.
At Royal CareGivers, extraordinary service is what sets us apart from other companies who provide in home health care services. Whatever your care needs, we are there for you, always striving to exceed your expectations.
Source: https://davidyorkhomehealthcare.com/what-is-home-care/