Mental health is a hot topic in the medical community today. Recent studies show that online self-management has the potential to help seniors reduce levels of pain, and decrease anxiety and depression symptoms. Telemedicine is not a replacement for working with a trained doctor, but it can help improve mental health in between appointments and even has the potential to lower health care costs.
Telemedicine is the practice of medical care or consultations, but done remotely over the web. It’s a still expanding area, but so far it has proven to be beneficial, especially in the senior community.
Senior citizens are a population that can have trouble leaving the house or admitting to loved ones that they are having a tough time with depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, that does not mean that they are exempt from these struggles. And because pain, anxiety, and depression often occur at the same time, there is a big need in the senior population for better treatment. Telemedicine won’t cure all of these issues, but it can bring some relief, according to this new research. That’s good news for the people that we love.
This research was conducted by the Regenstrief Institute. Their findings were published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Even though this study showed that telemedicine produced positive results, it’s still an area that needs more study. Telemedicine’s potential is just starting to be understood. Be on the lookout for other ways that this field can benefit your family.
Even though they are not mental health professionals, a trained caregiver has the potential to help with mental health, too. The vast majority of caregivers are not trained psychologists, but studies show that being around people that care and take an interest in our lives has a profoundly positive experience on us. When an elderly person lives alone, it’s easy for them to feel separated from the world around them and to suffer from negative mood symptoms as a result. A lot of negative things can be avoided just by being with and talking to other people.
Just keep in mind that caregivers cannot replace a doctor. If your loved one suffers from depression, working with a doctor is incredibly important. The combination of care and mental health services is key.
And that’s where in-home care excels. In-home care involves a caregiver coming into your home to help with some of the daily tasks that seniors struggle with. Not only does this avoid potentially tough transitions into a new home, but it also has a one-to-one ratio of caregiver to person in need. The care that they receive is personal and customized to the needs of the senior. It is very rare to find care like this anywhere else.
If you have questions about how we can help your family with this, please get in touch with us. Our trained caregivers would love to help you learn more about how in-home care can benefit you and your family during a free consultation.
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