How Care At Home Can Help Seniors Fight Depression
If you think your senior loved one in Gastonia, NC, is suffering from depression, arranging home care services can help them feel less isolated and lonely
Depression can be a serious problem for older generations. The challenges of aging, such as illness, the death of a spouse or close friend, financial struggles or the loss of mobility, can all contribute to mental health issues.
Without an adequate support system consisting of family, friends, and care at home providers, many older adults are at high risk of spiraling into clinical depression. To make matters worse, depression very often gets overlooked and undertreated, as many seniors are reluctant to seek help out of fear of social stigma or not wanting to be a burden to the family.
According to some estimates, more than 6 million seniors over 65 suffer from depression and not even 10 percent of them are undergoing therapy or receiving treatment. For all these reasons, it is very important to detect and treat depression in seniors.
Though depression may be common in senior years, it is definitely not a normal part of aging. It is not unusual for seniors to experience grief or sadness every once in a while, but recurring symptoms of depression can lead to a reduced quality of life and cause a number of health issues.
Feelings of loneliness and isolation are one of the most common triggers for depression. To combat depression, professional care at home providers can compensate for the lack of social support and alleviate some of the problems associated with living independently in senior years. A compassionate, dedicated caregiver can cater for seniors living with chronic conditions and disabilities or those recovering from an illness or surgery.
How Can Senior Care at Home Treat Depression?
Professional care at home is available for older adults who wish to continue living independently in their own home while receiving the right amount of support necessary for maintaining a high quality of life.
When speaking of expert caregiving services, many people focus on assistance with daily activities, but what may be even more important for seniors is the comfort and understanding they can get from a loving caregiver. Yes, a care provider is there to help with personal hygiene, prepare meals, and maintain the home, but by making sure the senior is also involved in these tasks, they can make a world of difference in the lives of their clients.
In other words, professional care can help seniors combat depression by providing valuable companionship and interaction, encouraging the senior to stay active, both physically and mentally, and offering plenty of opportunities for social interaction.
What is also important is that an expert caregiver can make sure that a senior goes outdoors on a regular basis, interacting with others, enjoying the weather, moving their body, and more.
All of this can alleviate feelings of isolation and help older adults gradually adopt a more positive outlook on life.
If you have any doubts that your loved one is depressed or anxious, opting for care at home is a smart decision. A loving caregiver can be there for Mom or Dad to offer assistance and provide you with peace of mind.
Visiting Angels of Gastonia, NC, is a leading provider of non-medical in home care services for seniors. To learn more about the in-home assisted living services provided by our staff of compassionate caregivers, please call our Gastonia office at (704) 825-3350 or contact us for more information.
Visiting Angels proudly serves Alexis, Belmont, Bessemer City, Boiling Springs, Casar, Charlotte, Cherryville, Cramerton, Crouse, Dallas, Earl, Fallston, Gastonia, High Shoals, Iron Station, Kings Mountain, Lattimore, Lawndale, Lincolnton, Lowell, McAdenville, Mooresboro, Polkville, Shelby, Stanley, Vale, Waco, and the surrounding areas of North Carolina.