How Home Care Assistance from Visiting Angels Helps Seniors in Eldersburg, MD and Surrounding Areas Combat Depression
Seniors living in Eldersburg, Westminster, Baltimore, Columbia, Ellicott City and surrounding areas in Maryland can get the support they need to manage symptoms of depression with home care assistance from Visiting Angels
Although depression is not a normal part of aging, it affects countless numbers of seniors throughout Carroll, Howard and Baltimore Counties in Maryland. Untreated depression can make it more difficult to recover from illness or injury. It can also have a negative effect on quality of life, affecting everything from appetite to socialization to physical activity.
Recognizing symptoms of depression in seniors and taking steps to improve mental health can vastly improve your loved one’s overall well-being. In addition, professional caregivers from Visiting Angels Eldersburg can help by providing attentive home care assistance and friendly companionship.
Symptoms of Depression Among the Elderly
Depression is not always obvious in seniors. Some individuals may experience sadness, while others do not. Instead, they may feel more helpless or hopeless. They might also feel like they're a burden to their family.
Families should be aware of these common symptoms:
- Memory problems
- Changes in appetite
- Poor personal hygiene
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Loss of energy or motivation
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed, like hobbies
- Complaints about aches and pains unrelated to another condition
If you notice these symptoms, discuss your concerns with your loved one and their doctor. They should be evaluated for depression and receive appropriate medical treatment. Be sure to disclose any current medications because depression can be a side effect of some prescribed drugs.
Make Lifestyle Changes to Tackle Depression
There are behavioral adjustments that can assist your senior loved one in improving their mood and lowering their risk of depression.
Reduce isolation. Many older adults live alone and may have difficulty getting to and from social events. They may also have a limited number of visitors. Ensure that your loved ones have access to social opportunities and transportation to get there. Help them plan lunches with friends, church trips, community events and visits with family and friends. Remind them how they enjoy spending time with others.
Encourage physical activity. Exercise improves mood by releasing endorphins. Encourage your loved ones to sign up for fitness classes at the South Carroll Senior & Community Center, go for walks together at the local shopping mall, take them to the pool or try yoga classes. Staying active is good for our joints, muscles, balance and coordination—all essential for mobility.
Introduce new activities. Trying new hobbies keeps the mind active and challenges seniors to learn new things. The satisfaction of doing something fun and seeing improvement can be extremely rewarding. Your loved one may even make new friends with similar interests.
Consider professional home care assistance. Depression can arise from illness, injury or disability. If your loved one needs help, a professional caregiver can help with meal planning and preparation, running errands, light housekeeping, dressing for the day and providing companionship. With home care assistance from Visiting Angels Eldersburg, your senior loved one can maintain their independence and age in place while preserving social ties—which improves their mental health and reduces depression.
To learn how home care assistance from Visiting Angels Eldersburg can help your loved one combat depression, contact our office at 410-549-8002to schedule a free in-home consultation.