In-Home Care Helps with Depression in the Elderly

By Kevin Edwards | September 7, 2021 |

According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the elderly. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 7.1% of adults in the United States have major depression. If you suspect that a loved one may be experiencing depression, there are things that you can do to help. Brining in in-home care may be one of the solutions.

In-Home Care Prairie KS - In-Home Care Helps with Depression in the Elderly — In-Home Care Prairie KS – In-Home Care Helps with Depression in the Elderly

As we age, our brain structure changes. The brain shrinks and the number of neurons decreases. This decline in the brain structure and a decrease in the number of neurons will cause the elderly to have a decline in cognitive abilities, such as memory, concentration, and decision-making.

In addition, the elderly will have more health issues compared to the young population. These health issues, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, often result in a less active lifestyle and may lead to depression.

What is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Depression is often related to the death of loved ones, retirement, and a lack of social support, which are common issues in the elderly.

How Can I Tell if an Elderly Person is Depressed?

Sudden change in appetite, especially loss of appetite or overeating
Change in sleep pattern (sleeping too much or insomnia)
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest in daily activities
Loss of energy and decreased activity
Loss of interest in family and friends
Loss of interest in hobbies and previously enjoyed activities
Poor decision-making
Poor concentration
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Restlessness, agitation, or slowed behavior
Thoughts of suicide

How Does Depression Affect the Elderly?

Depression is a serious disorder that can lead to a number of issues, including the following:

Depression may lead to suicide, which is the eighth leading cause of death in people over age 65.
Depression may lead to heart disease and stroke.
Depression may lead to a decline in cognitive function.

How Can I Help My Loved One?

First, listen to your loved one. You may not understand what they are going through, but you can offer emotional support and listen to their concerns. Don’t try to solve their problems for them. Many people with depression find that their relationships with family and friends suffer when they are depressed.

Encourage them to seek professional help. If they are hesitant to seek help, you can seek out a mental health professional on their behalf. Mental health professionals are experts who can help them feel better.

In-Home Care can be Part of the Solution

In-home care is a way for older adults to live independently in their own homes. This can be provided by family members or by an in-home care services aide. Older adults who receive in-home care can remain in their own homes longer, and enjoy a high degree of independence and privacy.

It is important to understand that depression is not a normal part of aging and this is not something that people should be expected to ‘tough out’. It is a serious condition that needs to be treated. In-home care can help older adults to continue living in their homes for as long as they are able, or as long as they desire, helping them to deal with depression. We offer your senior the best care. Book a consultation today!

Sources:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-of-older-adults
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/how-does-depression-affect-the-heart
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038544/

If you or an aging loved-one are considering In-Home Care Services in the Prairie Village KS area, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City, today. Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass Counties in Missouri as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years. Call us at 816-333-3322.

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Kevin Edwards

Owner at Elder Care of Kansas City

Kevin’s life and the lives of his immediate family have been impacted by caregivers – either as a patient or a caregiver - for as long as he can remember.He watched his mother take care of his grandmother until her death at the age of 97.Five years later, his father passed from a neurological disorder that was subsequently confirmed as Lewy Body Dementia.In 2007, his wife, Lori, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.The symptoms of Lori’s disease required Kevin to hire a caregiver during the periods of her relapses.

Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.

Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.