What Does Depression Feel Like for Aging Adults?
Depression, like other mental health conditions, is unique for each person that experiences it. Depression is unfortunately extremely common for seniors to experience, for many reasons. Health issues, lack of socialization, and loss are all possible issues that contribute to depression. Depression in aging adults needs to be addressed, which means recognizing some of the symptoms and how they affect seniors in particular. Companion care at home can help family caregivers spot issues related to depression, and they can also help find solutions.
Companion Care at Home: Senior Depression Hudsonville, MI
Sadness and Despair
Sadness and despair are a familiar set of symptoms for people who are battling depression. Seniors may find that they’re experiencing these feelings on a constant basis and that they start to experience every situation through that lens. It may be difficult for them to enjoy situations that used to make them happy. They may start to feel worthless or hopeless as well.
Isolation and Withdrawal
When seniors are depressed, they’re more likely to start to isolate themselves, withdrawing from activities and people that they once enjoyed. This can happen even if friends and family members continue reaching out to the seniors who are depressed. Having easy options for social engagement, such as having companion care at home providers spending time with them, can be a way for aging adults to get the social engagement they need.
Appetite Changes
Another way that depression impacts seniors is through appetite changes. That can mean that seniors overeat, especially less healthy choices, or that they have no appetite at all. These appetite changes can cause seniors to lose or gain weight quickly, which can be dangerous. One solution for this problem is to have elderly care providers helping with meal preparation and staying on top of how well seniors are eating.
Sleep Issues
Just as seniors can have more trouble with food and appetite because of depression, they can also have more trouble sleeping. They might find themselves sleeping a lot more or suddenly unable to sleep at all. All of these issues can exacerbate other health issues, however, as well as making depression symptoms worse overall.
Memory Issues and Cognitive Changes
One symptom that seniors can find scary is cognitive changes and memory trouble. As depression worsens, it can be more difficult for seniors’ brains to continue to work as well as they did before. The good news about this symptom is that treating the depression can cause the cognitive difficulties and the memory issues to subside.
Increased Pain and Fatigue
Many older adults who experience depression may not be aware that there are more than emotional symptoms involved. Increased pain and fatigue are extremely common. But seniors who already deal with chronic pain may chalk that up to their chronic health issues. Getting a handle on depression can help seniors to experience less fatigue and less overall pain.
Understanding why depression can present differently in aging adults can help family caregivers to find a compassionate solution. Companion care at home is a great way to offer seniors the social support they need in order to get a handle on depression. If seniors are experiencing depression that doesn’t respond to simple changes, talking to healthcare providers can help to determine if there is an underlying medical cause.
If you or someone you know needs help with elderly care in Companion Care at Home in Hudsonville, MI contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
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