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While
most consider depression a problem among people of all
ages, seniors may be especially vulnerable. Their
support systems may have drastically changed, and their
loneliness may be the catalyst for serious emotional
problems. They may also be dealing with a variety of
physical ailments. Seniors typically experience
increased physical pain, as well as frequent fatigue.
They may also be forced to cope with emotional losses
more frequently than someone younger. In some cases, the
physical pain acts in a cycle with depression, each
causing the other to worsen.
If
you rely on the help of experienced caregivers like
those from Sequoia Senior Solutions, they can help your
loved one stay active and ward off episodes of
depression.
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Importance of Mental
Health
The unfortunate part of aging is that many people are so
focused on their physical health, they lose sight of the
importance of their mental and spiritual well-being.
Despite depression being such a common problem, seniors
are often reluctant to deal with the condition like they
would a broken bone or traditional physical ailment. If
more seniors realized the effect their depression may
have on other health issues, they may be more inclined
to seek the support they need for treating their
depression.
Furthermore, if they
did seek help with their condition, they would be
surprised to learn how easily treatable depression
typically is. Most who speak with their physician
concerning their depression can easily cure or manage
their disease. Unfortunately, a lot of seniors are
unwilling to seek help, leading them down a path of
misery, hopelessness, and poor health.
Take Note
If you are caring for a senior loved one, keep an eye
out for signs of depression. Often, a person is unable
to recognize the early signs of their condition, or he
may feel uncomfortable talking about his feelings of
hopelessness with others. In some cases, by the time the
signs of depression are obvious, it is difficult to
treat the condition. Be aware of the early signs of
depression and act as soon as possible to help a loved
one cope with their issues.
To get the appropriate treatment, family members
sometimes must intervene when a senior is in the grips
of depression. A general practitioners is the first line
of defense. He will more than likely need to see the
senior to make an official diagnosis. He will then
recommend the appropriate form of treatment, often
including therapy or medication.
Avoiding Depression
To avoid depression, it is important for seniors to stay
active and remain social. Even though everyone will have
to cope with losses, with the support of loved ones,
emotional recovery is possible. Some seniors deal with
temporary depression in response to a particular
incident. Others find their depressive state lingers and
they need more long-term treatment. In either case, the
depression should be taken seriously and treated
professionally.
Staying active is not as easy as it may sound. If a
senior loses a loved one with whom they shared
activities, they may be reluctant to return to those
activities under new circumstances. Sequoia Seniors
Solutions provides seniors with caregivers who often
share their personal interests. As a matter of fact,
when co-owner and Chief Financial Officer Stan Lawson is
interviewing clients, he asks them to share an activity
they used to enjoy that they no longer make time to do.
Based on this, Lawson’s California company makes an
effort to pair seniors with caregivers who share this
interest. The intention is to rekindle a desire in the
senior to begin living again and enjoying things that
once made him happy. Even if the activities are not
enjoyed exactly as they were before, it gets the senior
out and about, living life to the fullest.
Those with senior loved ones who are experiencing the
effects of depression can contact caregivers to help
them cope with their loved ones’ emotional needs.
Sometimes, just engaging with others and experiencing
life is enough to pull someone from a depressive period.
In other cases, more treatment may be needed, but
socializing should always be part of the path to
recovery. If your senior loved one is lacking the social
interaction he needs, consider working with Sequoia
Senior Solutions to help deal with depression.
The information in
the article is not intended to substitute for the
medical expertise and advice of your healthcare
provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions
about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare
provider.
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