Home Care Depression
Home Care and Fighting Depression
Many seniors face depression. In fact, recent studies show that nearly one-quarter of people over the age of 55 have at least some degree of mental health problem. More seniors deal with mental health issues than other age groups. Much of this can be attributed to depression associated with the loss of a spouse, friend, or other loved ones, illnesses, or even complications from medications. Seniors are also more likely to have restricted mobility and loss of social connections.
The good news is that according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), "once geriatric depression symptoms have been correctly diagnosed, 80% of cases are treated effectively by medication and psychotherapy." Additionally, …show more content…
Home care personnel can help your loved one get on social media, use Facebook, even Skype or Facetime. Sometimes it is just being taught how, other times memory loss or arthritis makes getting on difficult, but home care aids can bring the online world back to them. One neat idea is "virtual engagement". With a smart phone, tablet, or laptop, your senior loved one no longer has to miss out on family events. Whether you are sitting around the dinner table or a campfire, they can join you virtually.
Home care aids can also help with transportation to ensure you senior loved one does not become homebound. The loss of a driver's license or simply not feeling safe on the road can be a tremendous cause of stress and depression. Transportation services can open the world back up and put a smile back on their face.
Exercise is also a key component to combating depression. A home care aid can assist your loved one with their exercise routine, get them to and from the gym or pool, even go walking or hiking with them. There are so many options available and all of them are not only effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of depression, but there are so many other positive benefits to exercise.
Depression may be increasingly common among seniors, but it does not mean you have to take it lying down. Home care personnel can play an important role in helping your senior loved one fight
Many seniors face depression. In fact, recent studies show that nearly one-quarter of people over the age of 55 have at least some degree of mental health problem. More seniors deal with mental health issues than other age groups. Much of this can be attributed to depression associated with the loss of a spouse, friend, or other loved ones, illnesses, or even complications from medications. Seniors are also more likely to have restricted mobility and loss of social connections.
The good news is that according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), "once geriatric depression symptoms have been correctly diagnosed, 80% of cases are treated effectively by medication and psychotherapy." Additionally, …show more content…
Home care personnel can help your loved one get on social media, use Facebook, even Skype or Facetime. Sometimes it is just being taught how, other times memory loss or arthritis makes getting on difficult, but home care aids can bring the online world back to them. One neat idea is "virtual engagement". With a smart phone, tablet, or laptop, your senior loved one no longer has to miss out on family events. Whether you are sitting around the dinner table or a campfire, they can join you virtually.
Home care aids can also help with transportation to ensure you senior loved one does not become homebound. The loss of a driver's license or simply not feeling safe on the road can be a tremendous cause of stress and depression. Transportation services can open the world back up and put a smile back on their face.
Exercise is also a key component to combating depression. A home care aid can assist your loved one with their exercise routine, get them to and from the gym or pool, even go walking or hiking with them. There are so many options available and all of them are not only effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of depression, but there are so many other positive benefits to exercise.
Depression may be increasingly common among seniors, but it does not mean you have to take it lying down. Home care personnel can play an important role in helping your senior loved one fight