Tag Archives: senior mental health

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Depression In Aging Parents: Warning Signs To Watch For

Senior living, depression in seniors  The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that more than 6.5 million seniors had depression in 2009. Even though the data is years old, many people still do not consider severe depression to be a concern for elderly parents. What’s worse is that depression in seniors sometimes goes undetected. Many senior living experts opine that a senior who is upset could come off as grumpy. One could consider appetite loss a side effect of becoming older. Seniors may be more likely to worry about death because they are nearing the conclusion of their life. Being sad about becoming older is normal given that we all want to be younger. The physical symptoms of aging or certain behavioral features can indeed be signs of depression. As a result, depression is never properly diagnosed and is instead attributed to aging. This is regrettable because senior depression is common, remains undiagnosed and untreated, and can have catastrophic repercussions. Knowing the warning signals is crucial if your parent begins to exhibit symptoms of depression, which is not a typical outcome of aging.  Causes Of Depression In Seniors  Seniors do not develop clinical depression as a result of aging; although your parents may be sad that the years have flown by. Again, almost every senior can endure bodily changes and mental fluctuations. However, you and any caregivers should be concerned if these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks. Why are older people more prone to depression? According to […]

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Tips To Improve Life Of Seniors At Risk Of Depression 

Elderly adults can show signs of depression and the symptoms can increase with the age of the person due to an increase in chronic medical conditions and a decrease in physical functions. Many people think that depression is a normal part of aging, but it is not. As per the reports of the CDC, most elderly adults who are depressed are under-treated, meaning that there are many seniors out there who are experiencing feelings of sadness, sleep issues, and many other problems arising from depression.  For senior caregivers, it is vital to approach both diagnosed and undiagnosed depression from different angles. Apart from the clinical side of depression treatment, healthy socialization and life improvement opportunities should be provided to seniors. Our experts in seniors assisted living and senior care shares some ways to improve the life of seniors at risk of depression via life enrichment activities.  Concentrate On The Physical  Endorphins are feel-good hormones that are released in our brains when we exercise. As per the experts in senior care, moving around, like walking, lifting small weights, jogging, stretching, etc can make seniors feel better. For a depressed person, it can be very difficult to get up and perform physical activities. Therefore, it is vital to offer kind encouragement to the person to get up and move.  Select Different Activity Times  The best time to perform physical activities can differ from person to person. Some of us may feel energized in the morning while others may enjoy taking part in […]

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Being Widowed Does Not Mean Spending Your Retirement Alone 

Becoming a widower or widow will not be a part of anyone’s retirement plan.  After all, spending time with your life partner is one of the biggest perks of retirement life. However, all of us might not be lucky enough to enjoy such a life. If you find yourself grieving your partner or spouse in your retirement life, you can find comfort in knowing that you need not live your retirement life alone. There are many ways in which you can find stability and connection in your retirement life, without losing the love that you shared with your life partner. Some of these ways are shared below.  Make New Connections  Seniors in retirement facilities will be vulnerable to health issues from feelings of loneliness. Losing a spouse can add to the feelings of loneliness and loss. Even though new connections cannot replace the relationship shared by you and your life partner, you can always continue to make new connections in assisted living facilities. Finding new friends might not be difficult in your retirement life. Instead of that, you can focus on making new connections by sharing your life experiences. To make new connections, you can attend an outdoor concert, attend a book club, etc. Always keep in mind that shared experiences are the building block of a new friendship.  Continue Traditions  Even though continuing the traditions that you and your spouse shared can make you sad, continuing the traditions can help you feel connected to your life partner and can […]

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