The mental health of your elderly loved ones is a matter of great importance. It might seem like a secondary concern, but if you treat it as such, physical health will also suffer. Yes, physical needs should be addressed, but the mental health aspect of things can have such a strong influence on this that if it isn’t addressed at the same time, physical health could possibly never improve. Consider the fact that 13.5% of seniors receiving in-home care, and 11.5% of those hospitalized experience depression, and this can sometimes lead to medical issues in other aspects of life. If the senior is living alone and independent, only about 3% experience depression.
With this in mind, here are a few things that you can do to help boost your elderly parent’s mental wellbeing.
Increase their independence: Maybe it’s not possible to avoid senior care. This is okay. But the issue is that some types of care can be overbearing and stifling. The need for senior care itself can be a heavy thought, but it doesn’t need to be a burden. The best types of in-home care are not like this at all, though. In fact, the best caregivers are able to gauge a situation and make sure that they are helping to keep your mom or dad as independent as possible. Even if they have many needs, a professional should be able to create the impression that they are not a major intrusive presence. Caregivers should be able to be more friend and companion than employee.
Socialize: One reason why seniors get depressed is because they feel isolated. Their friends may have gone into nursing homes, moved away, or passed on. Their decreased mobility can make it tough to get out of the house. Still, being able to interact with people outside their family is a joy, and they should have opportunities to do this. Caregivers are helpful in this respect, and they can also provide transportation to senior centers if necessary. Either way, just talking with others once in a while can help them to be happier.
Get a pet: This might seem silly, but there has been a lot of research done that indicates just petting a dog for a few minutes a day releases chemicals in the brain that act as a natural antidepressant. Also, animals provide companionship and create a feeling of responsibility and pride. If your parent is able to care for a dog or cat, and they wish to have one, this simple act can go a long way toward helping them feel happier. It’s a little thing, but it has proven results. It can even boost their sense of self worth.
Keep learning: Today, it is easier than ever to learn new things. Between online school, YouTube courses, and local community centers, learning a new skill has never been easier. It can even be something small, like learning to use a computer. This helps people to stay alert and creates a new set of goals for later in life. If possible, this is something that you can do with your loved one to give them some new hobbies and interests.
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