How Can You Help a Depressed Aging Adult?
If you suspect that your elderly family member is depressed, it can be difficult to know what to do. You can’t fix the problem for her on your own, but you can help her to acknowledge what is going on and to treat the symptoms. Some of these suggestions can help her to manage how she’s feeling.
Elderly Care Berkeley Heights NJ – How Can You Help a Depressed Aging Adult?
Keep Her Brain Engaged
Many aging adults find that with a lot of time on their hands they aren’t as mentally engaged as they once were. Help your elderly family member find activities that she enjoys and that keep her brain going. She might enjoy learning new hobbies or playing games in order to keep her brain going.
Help Her Stay Engaged Socially
Along with mental activity slowing down, often a senior’s social activity slows down, too. If she’s not able to drive on her own, it can help to have elderly care providers available to drive for her. Local senior centers can be a great place for your aging adult to meet people her own age who have similar interests.
Make Sure She’s Eating Well
Food can do a lot to help your senior’s mental and emotional outlook to improve. If she’s not already eating healthy meals, it’s time to revamp her eating habits. Talk to her doctor or to a nutritionist about how you can help your elder to change her way of eating. Look at how many healthy foods she’s already eating and look for ways to augment that.
Help Her to Seek a Solution
It’s possible that your elderly loved one isn’t excited about finding a solution for her depression. One of the problems with depression is that it becomes a rut that is difficult to maneuver out of easily. Talk with your senior’s doctor and determine what else can be done for her.
Don’t Ignore the Problem
Above all, it’s important to remember that you can’t just ignore the problem. If you do that, it doesn’t go away, it just becomes bigger. Help your aging adult to become more comfortable talking about what she’s experiencing so that you can help her as much as you can.
Work with your elderly adult to figure out the best combination of treatment options for her.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Elderly Care Services in Berkeley Heights NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.
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