Tag Archive for: elderly depression

depression in senior loved ones

How to Spot Depression in Senior Loved Ones

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depression in senior loved ones

Be on the lookout for these changes that may indicate a senior loved one is suffering from depression.

Most people go through periods of time when they simply want to be isolated for a while with their thoughts, to think through concerns in their lives without any distractions, or simply to experience some downtime. For seniors, however, being isolated for an extended period of time may be indicative of a more concerning condition: depression.

At Harmony Home Health & Hospice, our caregivers in Orem and the surrounding areas have shared the journey through depression with many older individuals, and want to offer help. The most important first step is to contact the senior’s physician right away if you think he or she may be struggling with depression. Depression can be treated, and the sooner treatment is begun, the better.

Be on the lookout for these signs of senior depression in loved ones:

  • Loss: A variety of kinds of loss can trigger depression or other medical concerns: losing weight, losing appetite, a loss of self-worth, a loss of interest in activities or pastimes that were formerly enjoyed, or a decrease in time spent with friends or family.
  • Slowing Down: Notice if the senior’s movements or speaking have slowed down, if it takes the person longer than before to share or recall memories, or if motivation or energy is lessened.
  • Sleeping Changes: Depression can have dramatic effects on sleep patterns, such as trouble with falling or staying asleep, difficulty waking up, or issues with staying alert and awake during the day.
  • Forgetfulness: Watch for changes in how the older person takes care of herself; for instance, if she was always careful about maintaining good personal hygiene and taking care with her appearance, but suddenly begins to ignore personal care, or any other crucial changes like forgetting to take medications, to eat a healthy diet, etc.

Various other medical conditions tend to also make depression worse. Be particularly mindful if the older adult has been affected by any of the following:

  • Cancer
  • Stroke
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
  • Thyroid conditions

If you suspect senior depression in someone you love, it’s crucial to take action and not to shrug it off as just something the person will get over by herself. Depression is a chronic medical condition that calls for treatment in order to recover.

And keep in mind, you are not alone! Harmony Home Health & Hospice, with experts in home and hospice in Orem and nearby communities, are here to help seniors, and their family members, through depression or any other condition of aging.  We offer skilled care that can help seniors maintain better health and feel more like themselves.

Reach out to us any time at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE  for assistance.

depression and dementia

Differences and Similarities Between Depression and Dementia

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depression and dementia

How can you tell if a loved one has depression or dementia?

A visit with mom recently uncovered several unsettling signs. Even though she’s always been awake and out of bed by 8 a.m., now it’s difficult to wake her before lunchtime. Rather than preparing an elaborate home-cooked meal, she prefers to merely warm up a can of soup; and can barely finish a small bowlful. Not only that, but she has lost interest in spending time with her best friends from book club. Could she be suffering from depression and dementia?

There are a number of similarities between the two, including:

  • Sleeping and eating pattern changes
  • Reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities and hobbies, and spending time with others
  • A decrease in memory and the ability to focus

However, there are also a number of distinguishing differences to help discern whether depression or dementia could be at play:

Dementia:

  • A slow, progressive decline in mental functioning
  • Noticeable impairment with motor and/or language skills
  • Problems with memory, without being aware of these problems
  • Confusion in knowing the correct date, time, and surroundings

Depression:

  • A faster decline in mental functioning
  • Problems with concentration
  • Somewhat slower, but still normal motor and language functioning
  • Problems with memory issues, but being aware of the challenges
  • Aware of present date, time and environment

Sometimes, both conditions can affect a person simultaneously. Brent Forester, MD, director of the mood disorders division in the geriatric psychiatry research program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, shares, “40 to 50% of people with Alzheimer’s disease get depression, but depression also may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s.”

If you suspect either depression or dementia in a senior you love, schedule an appointment as soon as possible with the person’s doctor. Receiving a correct diagnosis and beginning a treatment plan is imperative.

Help for depression might include an antidepressant as well as professional counseling, or hospitalization if the challenges are severe and require more in-depth treatment. Dementia care commonly involves medications that help with specific symptoms, like sleep problems, memory loss, or changes in behavior.

If someone you love has been diagnosed with depression and/or dementia, or is struggling with any other challenges of aging, the top provider of home health in Albuquerque, Harmony Home Health & Hospice, can help. With our full range of Albuquerque home health care services, including skilled care, balance improvement, cardio management, diabetes management, home monitoring, and more, we’re here for whatever individual needs your loved one is facing. Call us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE  for more information or to schedule a free in-home consultation. Visit our Service Area page for a full list of the communities we serve.

lonely senior woman during holidays

Depression in Seniors During the Holidays – And How You Can Help

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lonely senior woman during holidays

Depression in seniors is common during the holiday season.

In spite of its reputation for being a season of joy, for quite a few older adults, the holidays are a period of deep despair. Longing for holidays past, sadness over the loss of close friends and family, and aging-related changes to health can intensify throughout the holiday season, and it’s imperative to take steps to help older loved ones avoid the downward slope into depression in seniors.

Begin by asking yourself these three questions if an older adult you love is feeling sad this holiday season.

  • Might it be normal nostalgia? Wistful feelings of nostalgia, thinking of pre-pandemic holiday celebrations and get-togethers, are normal for all of us. See if the older adult’s sadness is lifted immediately following a trip down memory lane, or if it lingers regardless of the topic of conversation.
  • Is health impacted? If your senior family member is struggling to sustain a healthy diet, has difficulty staying or falling asleep each night, is losing weight, and/or feeling fatigued, these could all be indications of depression.
  • Is the senior disengaged? Look for a disinterest in previously-enjoyed hobbies, decreased motivation, difficulty with focus and concentration, and/or the inability to sit still without fidgeting, as these can also be typical in depression.

Lara Honos-Webb, clinical psychologist and author of “Listening to Depression: How Understanding Your Pain Can Heal Your Life,” compares the difference between depression and sadness to colors. “A person is blue if they have deep, colorful emotions in response to loss in life. Depression is more like the color black – there [are] no subtle colors to the emotion but stark pain.”

It is crucial to seek medical assistance if depression is suspected – or even if you’re not sure – as effective treatment is readily available and essential, and treatment and early detection are key. And there are particular steps family members can take to support a senior loved one with depression:

  • Make a list of the older adult’s hobbies and interests, and set a schedule to engage in several of them together.
  • Encourage your loved one to work out together with you, including getting outside for walks to appreciate nature.
  • Turn on some of the senior’s favorite music, or if the senior plays an instrument, request that she/he play some songs for you.
  • Continue being positive yourself, providing affirmations to remind your senior loved one of the countless small but wonderful aspects each new day brings.
  • Above all, just be there, regardless of the older adult’s mood. Oftentimes, just sitting quietly together can make an enormous amount of difference in how someone feels.

Contact Harmony Home Health & Hospice, the experts in home health care in Orem, UT and surrounding areas, for additional resources and tips to help improve health and wellbeing for senior loved ones, and for the specialized home health care that makes every single day the best it can be.