A History of Hope and Healing
Blog Post
Depression and Aging: How to Help Your Elderly Parent
Admin • Jul 29, 2020
Aging can be a traumatic process for some individuals, especially because increased age comes with greater changes. Your older parent faces changes in health, relationships, and even in their job and living situation. So much change at once can contribute to increased risk of depression.
Depression is common in the older population, and for many, it can be debilitating. If you want to learn how to help your family member as they face the challenges of old age, here are some ideas to consider.
Encourage Activities to Combat Loneliness
Loneliness is a large contributor to depression for older individuals. After a life full of many interpersonal relationships, time after retirement can seem empty without those daily interactions, especially if your parent doesn't have a living spouse.
Research shows that loneliness in the senior population puts people at risk for serious health concerns, which can contribute to mood disorders. People who are socially isolated are about two-thirds
more likely to develop dementia than those who have rich social environments.
Encourage your parent to volunteer in the community, to join a senior exercise club, or even to audit a class at a local college. You might also encourage your parent to relocate to a senior living community, which offers activities and common areas designs for socialization and friendship.
These types of experiences help fill the void. Directly addressing loneliness proactively fights depression in older adults.
Visit Frequently
No person likes to feel forgotten. Your parent will benefit from frequent visits. If you have children of your own, encourage them to call and write letters to their grandparent to help them feel remembered and loved. If you don't live close by, video chat or call often to talk.
Maintaining and continuing to develop a relationship with your parent will provide the social support they need during a time of depression.
Provide Tasks and Work
Unfortunately, as people age, people start to see them as less capable and useful. The feeling that you are not needed anymore and that you might just be in the way increases feelings of depression and worthlessness.
When you are together with your parent at family gatherings, make sure you don't accidentally exclude your parent from the adult work and conversation. If you prepare a meal together, ask your parent to lend a hand. Take time to ask for advice, or (if your parent is still able) ask them to watch children while you're busy with other chores.
Be Proactive About Mental Health Care
If you notice your parent beginning to withdraw from their usual routine, going out less, and seeing fewer people, you might suggest mental health support.
Senior individuals can benefit from counseling and behavior therapy to help process feelings of loss due to changes in health or after the death of a spouse, sibling, or close friend. Counseling is also a good idea for feelings of anxiety and anger. People with reduced physical ability, loss of hearing, or declining lucidity can feel trapped and insecure about the future.
Counseling also takes the burden of your parent's mental health off of your shoulders. Social workers and psychologists who are familiar with the depression and loss that older people can face will be able to provide the help
you may struggle to give.
Support Consistent Medical Evaluations
Finally, medical care is important for elderly individuals, but they might not be as willing to accept it. Pain management is an important part of avoiding depression, and medications for depression and anxiety can help stabilize people who have chronic mood disorders. Encourage your family member to see the doctor and take their recommendations seriously.
To help someone who resists the idea of increased medical care, provide reassurance by suggesting a trial run before making a full-time commitment, and find ways to explain logistics like getting to appointments and paying for services.
For more information, visit us at Heritage Mental Health Clinic.