Often, regular sadness is misunderstood as depression. But the fact is, sadness caused by the loss of a loved one, financial crisis, emotional fragility, major negative life change, chronic disease is common. Using alcohol excessively, drugs and certain medications can cause depression. There are certain examples, however, without any known reason, where depression develops as well. In the case of clinical depression, people can not normally just “get over” it. Biologically, clinical depression is an illness of the brain where a chemical imbalance occurs that affects thought processes, emotions, and behavior.  Elder care providers can step in to watch over your loved one and take note of their behavior.

Although depression can affect anyone of any age, seniors are often not correctly diagnosed or recognized as clinically depressed, because most of the time, depression in elderly people gets mistaken as a sign of aging. It is also common for seniors to not report what they are feeling, even or especially if they are depressed. Depression, if not treated, can continue for weeks, months or even years. Untreated depression is the major cause of suicide in seniors. Elder care at home for seniors may be a relief for a senior suffering from depression.   

Signs of Depression 

There are many signs which can identify depression in your loved ones. However, there are some grey areas that also exist where sadness and other factors are involved. Some examples of depression indicators include: 

• Not getting dressed properly 
• Not answering the phone or a knock on the door 
• Expressing feelings of sadness or worthlessness 
• Low self-esteem 
• Sleeping too little or too much 
• Difficulty concentrating  
• Seeming confused all the time 
• Lack of energy for any work 
• Eating too much or too little or even refusing food 
• Heavy mood swings and being grumpy  
• Wanting to be alone 
• Having suicidal thoughts 

Why Depression is Often Overlooked In Seniors 

Unfortunately, most depressed older patients fail to identify the symptoms of their depression and do not want to seek medical help. Some of these reasons may include: 

• Thinking that depression is a part of aging or that there is another reason for feeling down for an extended period. 
• Believing that their weak physical states are the root cause of sadness and not realizing the mental causes of clinical depression. 
• In old age, it is very common for people to hesitate to ask for help or even talk and discuss their problems. This also may lead to missing the signs of clinical depression. 

Conclusion: Does Depression Affect Seniors? 

As with any other medical condition, depression also needs the same care and attention. There are several treatment options available for depression, such as medication and counseling. It is a very treatable disorder.  

One of the most effective ways to fight depression in seniors is to have a companion that can help your senior with their everyday tasks. Elder care at home will ensure the safety and everyday convenience for your loved one. Call us today and see if elder care at home is a good fit for you and your family! 

Sources: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/depression-and-older-adults 
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/depression-in-older-adults 
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/depression/index.html 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Skokie IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

You may not be able to be the caregiver you want to be, especially if you can’t be in the same place as your senior. So it’s important to know what tools can help you to be a better long-distance caregiver. 

A Place to Keep Everything You Need to Know 

There’s a lot of information you’re juggling as your senior’s caregiver. When you’re giving care from a distance, that can feel even more disorganized for you. What’s really important is for you to find a way to get yourself to a point where you can lay hands on whatever you might need at any given moment. Storing documents electronically might be the best option, especially if you need to access that information from anywhere. 

Her Doctors and Specialists 

You may not be able to be there at every medical appointment, so it helps to have a relationship with your senior’s medical team. When you or she have questions, it helps when you know who to contact and how to get in touch with the right people. Understanding your elderly family member’s current and future health is a vital part of being able to meet her needs. 

Alarms and Reminders 

There’s more than just information you’re keeping track of. Between your life and your senior’s life, there’s plenty that has to be done at a specific day or time. With electronic reminders and alarms, you’re going to be much more able to keep track of what needs to happen when. Most smartphones and laptops have built-in applications that allow you to set reminders. They’re even easier to use if you use the electronic personal assistant that’s built-in to most smartphones. 

An Alarm System 

You might feel better knowing that if your senior has a true emergency, she’s able to get the help that she needs. Personal alarm systems and home alarm systems are one way to do this. The home alarm may come along with a variety of tools, including fall detection and other services. If a personal alarm is more your senior’s speed, that gives her a way to access emergency services with the push of a single button. 

Some Boots on the Ground 

One of the most useful tools you might have, though, could be elder care providers. These are folks with experience helping aging adults with a variety of needs. Elder care providers are also a perfect way for you to know exactly what’s going on with your senior, even if you’re not able to be there with her. 

It's tough to be a long-distance caregiver, so anything that makes your job easier is something that you need to embrace. 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Skokie IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.