Depression Symptoms in Seniors

Being sad is not abnormal or something that someone should have to hide. There are plenty of situations in life that are heartbreaking or hard to deal with emotionally, and they will make your senior loved one sad. Losing a friend or family member, developing a chronic health condition, and hearing bad news about someone she loves can all make your elderly loved one sad and withdrawn from activities for a while.

While depression is not a normal part of aging, many seniors do find themselves stuck in a pattern of depression and often don’t know how to pull themselves out of it. They need help from trained professionals, loved ones, and even home care assistance support staff to help them find their joy again.

But as a caregiver, how do you know if your loved one is just feeling sad or if depression has set in and she needs help?

 

Depression Versus Sadness

The first step is understanding what depression is. Depression is a mood disorder that interferes with daily living. It can happen to anyone and at any time. Sometimes it has a direct trigger, but other times, the person feeling depressed or their loved ones might struggle to pinpoint why they are struggling with this mood disorder.

Depression is often defined as having a low mood or an inability to find pleasure in activities or events for a long period. Depressive thoughts and feelings usually permeate all aspects of the person’s life, causing many health symptoms.

 

Key Symptoms of Depression in the Elderly

Sometimes identifying depression in the elderly can be difficult because the obvious signs of “sadness,” like crying, are not present. Instead, your senior may display other symptoms that indicate she is struggling to manage her emotions healthily.

Home care assistance providers can help family caregivers recognize the following signs of depression in their elderly loved ones:

• Showing increased irritability. She might have trouble tolerating small changes or waiting in line for a phone call. She could pace and have problems with relaxing.
• She might be extremely fatigued and want to sleep or lie in bed all day.
• She seems constantly detached or unengaged with what is going on around her.
• She expresses feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
• Everything she does from moving around to talking is much slower and without emotion or pleasure. She’s “going through the motions” and that’s it.
• She’s not sleeping well.
• She’s struggling with following directions or solving simple problems. She can’t seem to concentrate.

 

Getting Professional Help and Home Care Assistance for Your Loved One.

Your loved one may not be able to just “snap out of it.” If you suspect that she is depressed, she should see a professional, be assessed, and follow her doctor’s recommendations for treatment. Depression is a medical condition like any other in that it needs professional help for your loved one to get better.

As a caregiver, you can help support your loved one on this journey back to better mental health by providing support in the areas she needs. She might need patience, understanding, and possibly even help around the home if she has found herself in a spot where she can’t keep up.

While you might not be able to step in and help around the home, a home care assistance provider can help your loved one with home care needs as she focuses on her self-care. With home care assistance, someone can help your loved one keep the home in good shape and even assist with meals.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care Assistance in Annandale, VA, please contact the caring staff at Thrive Health Care Services today. (703) 992-0484