Old age brings something precious that is currently seen as very relevant: availability of time. Professional tasks are a thing of the past, children have grown up and responsibilities have diminished. For those who have a busy schedule, being elderly is synonymous with a calm life, where there is time to enjoy the good times and do everything that has yet to be done.
However, the Elder Person may feel completely different: he/she gets up in the morning and has no goals or tasks to perform, He/she feels alone because over time he/she has lost contact with other people and if he/she is widowed, the issue is even more critical because he/she has lost his/her long-term partner and had to get used to the silence of the house, in addition to having to perform the tasks previously performed by the deceased.
Adding to this issue are the illnesses that are emerging, with some being temporary but others being chronic, causing a general lack of well-being. Health problems, which often force the Elderly Person to stay at home, can end up increasing the isolation and sadness of those who find themselves in a situation of weakness, since they still remember the time when they were healthy and felt strong.
These and other situations can cause depression in the elderly, which sometimes has different symptoms than those in other age groups and can sometimes be confused with dementia, hence it is important to distinguish one from the other. Get a diagnosis as soon as possible with a psychiatrist, as depression must be treated clinically.
Advice for avoiding depression in the Elderly
- Avoid isolation. If the elderly person starts to lose interest in being with other people or is unable to leave the house, organize activities at the elderly person’s house. This could be a family meal, where you bring previously prepared food. Or you could organize a get-together with friends at the elderly person’s house as well. During the week or during times when you are busier, call the elderly person while you are on the go, so that there is an opportunity to talk. One of the elderly person’s favorite topics of conversation is their respective illnesses. If this is the situation with your elderly parent, change the subject quickly, avoiding your own exhaustion of hanging up the phone feeling like that phone call drained your energy and that you don’t feel like making another phone call so soon. Ask other family members to call the elderly person. If it is possible and you can use WhatsApp to talk, this is excellent because it gives the feeling that everyone is closer.
- Check with the parish council or other entities in the area where the adult lives, to seewhether there are activities aimed at this age group: excursions, gym classes, swimming, among others. Talk to your relative to convince him/her to try one of these activities, the one that best suits his/her personality.
- Encourage physical activity that is appropriate for the elderly (before doing any type of exercise, you should consult a doctor). In addition to ensuring that the elderly person improves their muscle strength, balance, flexibility and motor coordination, it also helps to reduce the risk of falls, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. At the same time, it improves mood and well-being. When doing physical exercise, the elderly person is also in contact with other people, increasing their range of relationships.
- Diet is another way to reduce the risk of depression in the elderly. One should eat a balanced and nutritious diet. Fish and nuts are essential because they help maintain cognitive functions and contribute to reducing symptoms of depression. Fruits and vegetables also play a very important role in protecting the brain.
KindCare Services
KindCare is the solution to avoid loneliness and sadness for your elderly relative. We provide all the support and assistance needed, including helping to prepare healthy meals. We can even take him/her for a walk in the nearest garden, while we talk about the topics that are most important to the elderly person. We care for them with peace of mind, trust and security. Contact us to find out more.
Sources:
https://www.cuf.pt/mais-saude/os-beneficios-do-exercicio-fisico-para-os-idosos
https://metis.med.up.pt/index.php/Depress%C3%A3o_no_idoso#Como_prevenir.3F
https://radiocomercial.pt/podcasts/o-nosso-olhar-para-ti/t5/nem-tudo-e-demencia