Five Ways You Might Recognize Depression in Your Senior
Your senior might be feeling depressed, even if she’s not sure why. Depression can strike anyone for a variety of different reasons. It’s important to try to address the underlying issue if you suspect your senior might be dealing with depression.
Homecare Oakton VA – Five Ways You Might Recognize Depression in Your SeniorHer Moods Might Seem to Change Quickly
Most people see depression as being persistent sadness, and that’s not incorrect. But there’s more to it than that. Your senior might also feel irritable or she might seem to have moods that change quickly from one extreme to another. She might even tell you that she doesn’t know why she’s responding in certain ways.
It Seems as if She’s not Taking Care of Herself
Your aging family member might find that she’s exhausted and that she just doesn’t have the energy or the urge to engage in normal daily activities. She might be avoiding showering or cleaning the house, even if those are activities that she’s normally been able to handle with no problem. Depression can rob her of those abilities.
You’re Not Sure if She’s Eating
It’s not easy to tell when your senior is eating, or even eating what she should, so you might need to do a little bit of detective work. To be healthy, your elderly family member needs to be eating plenty of nutritious foods. You can do a quick walkthrough of her fridge and pantry to see if you can spot any signs that she’s not eating well. Another sign that can indicate problems is if she’s losing weight without trying to do so.
Her Sleep Patterns Might Be Off
People who are depressed often find that their sleep patterns don’t follow their normal patterns. Your aging family member might find that she can’t sleep at night, but then suffers from excessive daytime sleepiness. This problem builds on itself, particularly if she starts sleeping during the day and then staying up all night.
She’s Isolating Herself
Your elderly family member might not want to be around anybody if she’s depressed, so that can make her rather isolated. If she’s making excuses not to visit or if she doesn’t seem to be getting out like she usually does, that could be a sign of trouble. Talk to her about what’s going on.
If you’re seeing signs that your elderly family member might be depressed, talk to her doctor about possible solutions. It might also help to hire homecare providers to help her through this time. She might need help keeping her home clean, preparing healthy meals, and just feeling like she’s not completely alone.