Almost everyone experiences some level of sadness throughout their life. However, depression should not be a regular or common occurrence for anyone. It also shouldn’t go on for a long time either. If this is happening for your elderly loved one, they may need companion care at home services and other help to break free from the depression. There are some ways to recognize if your elderly loved one is feeling depressed. If these things are noticed, be sure you step up to get your elderly loved one the help they need.

Moderate to Severe Sadness or Anxiety

Two of the symptoms of depression that your elderly loved one might experience are sadness or anxiety. Sure, everyone experiences these two feelings from time to time. However, when they become a regular thing or they are moderate to severe, it could signify depression. If you or a home care provider notice these things in your elderly loved one, you should take the time to talk to them about it. Hopefully, they will open up and let you know what is going on. Then, you and companion care at home providers can help them to feel better.

Low Energy or Chronic Fatigue

Your elderly loved one may also experience low energy or chronic fatigue if they are depressed. Depression takes a toll on the body and the mind which is why these symptoms may arise. When you talk to your elderly loved one, how do they sound? Are they talking less than usual? Do they miss phone calls due to taking a longer nap than normal? When you visit, is your elderly loved one just resting on the couch because they can’t seem to get up? If this is the case, your elderly loved one might be depressed.

No Pleasure in Hobbies

Have you noticed your elderly loved one has no pleasure in their hobbies recently? For example, if your elderly loved one used to crochet or put puzzles together, but hasn’t done any of that recently, they might be experiencing depression. Maybe, they feel alone and don’t want to do these hobbies on their own anymore. If that is the case, you can hire companion care at home providers to take part in these hobbies with your elderly loved one. It may also just help your elderly loved one to have someone around when they are doing these activities.

Conclusion

These are some of the ways that depression may arise in senior citizens. If you start to notice symptoms of depression in your elderly loved one, don’t ignore it. Talk to your elderly loved one to see what you can do to help them. Maybe, if you hired companion care at home providers they could help your elderly loved one to break free of the depression, as well.

Source
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/older-adults-and-depression

If you are considering companion care at home in Marcellus, MI, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at Fresh Perspective Home Care at (269) 329-4717. We are here to help!

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Shelly Nutter

Area Vice President at Fresh Perspective Home Care

Shelly Nutter has been a driving force in the Fresh Perspective Home Care team since 2008 and is currently the Area Vice President. She began caring for others at a young age and has never looked back. Her strong faith and family values drives her passion for helping others. Shelly says she never found a career that fulfilled a "bigger purpose" her previous jobs until begin her home care career with Fresh Perspective Home Care. "Here I found growth, purpose, and a career to match my personal ambition of making a difference in the lives of others." Shelly is native to the Kalamazoo/Portage, Mi area and has been married for over 25 years Together they have three children that she believes have benefited from watching Mom work hard to help others, advocate for others, and give to others. She also holds a bachelors degree in Accounting and an associates degree in Business Management.

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