How At-Home Senior Care from Visiting Angels Denver Can Help Your Senior Loved One Combat Depression
Seniors living in Denver, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Arvada, Lakewood and surrounding cities in Colorado can get the support they need to combat symptoms of depression with at-home senior care from Visiting Angels
Although depression is not a normal part of aging, it affects many seniors in the Denver area. Untreated depression can make it more difficult to recover from illness or injury. It can also have a negative effect on quality of life, affecting everything from appetite to socialization to physical activity.
Recognizing the symptoms of depression in seniors and taking steps to improve mental health can vastly improve your loved one’s overall well-being. In addition, at-home senior care from Visiting Angels Denver can help by providing attentive support and friendly companionship.
Common Symptoms of Depression Among Seniors
Some common symptoms of depression in seniors are:
- Memory problems
- Changes in appetite
- Poor personal hygiene
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Loss of energy or motivation
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed, like hobbies
- Complaints about aches and pains unrelated to another condition
Keep in mind that depression is not always obvious in seniors. Some individuals may experience sadness, while others do not. Instead, they may feel more helpless or hopeless. They might also feel like they're a burden to their family.
If you notice any of these symptoms, discuss your concerns with your loved one and their doctor. They should be evaluated for depression and receive appropriate medical treatment. Be sure to disclose any current medications because depression can be a side effect of some prescribed drugs.
How to Help Your Loved One Combat Depression
There are behavioral adjustments to assist your senior loved one in improving their mood and lowering their risk of depression.
Reduce isolation. Many older adults live alone and may have difficulty getting to and from social events. They may also have a limited number of visitors. Ensure that your loved ones have access to social opportunities and transportation to get there. Help them plan lunches with friends, church trips, community events and visits with family and friends. Remind them how fun it is to spend time with others.
Encourage physical activity. Exercise improves mood by releasing endorphins. Encourage your loved one to sign up for fitness classes, go for walks together at the local shopping mall, take them to the indoor pool at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center or try yoga classes. Staying active is good for joints, muscles, balance and coordination—all essential for mobility.
Present new activities. Trying new hobbies keeps the mind active and challenges seniors to learn new things. The satisfaction of doing something fun and seeing improvement can be extremely rewarding. They may even make new friends with similar interests.
Consider at-home senior care. Depression can arise from illness, injury or disability. If your loved one is in need of help around the house, an at-home senior care provider from Visiting Angels Denver can assist with meal planning and preparation, running errands, light housekeeping, dressing for the day and providing companionship. With a dedicated caregiver from Visiting Angels Denver, seniors can maintain their independence and age in place while preserving social ties—which improves their mental health and reduces depression.
To learn how our at-home senior care services can make it easier for your loved one to combat depression, call our Wheat Ridge, CO office at 303-990-8148 to set up an in-home consultation.