Dealing With Aging Parents Depression - A How To Guide

Caring for a depressed parent can be a very difficult experience. Luckily, we’re here to help with seven tips on how to properly care for them.

Ways To Deal With Parents Depression

Seniors, unfortunately, experience more depression symptoms than any other age group. This typically occurs during retirement when many feel as though they don’t have many purposes in life or responsibilities. Try to take all of these steps when carefully dealing with the depression of a loved one:

Keep Them Active

Especially for seniors, physical activity is so important. Physical activity helps not only dealing with depression, but it will also help seniors live longer. Consider getting the senior in your life to regularly climb stairs and/or go for a walk. Joining a group of seniors who actively exercise is a great form of motivation. Another way to keep seniors active is to make sure they keep socializing. It is far too easy for depressed seniors to isolate at home. Getting some regular socialization in life helps us all to eat better, stay happy and live a healthier life, in general.

Take Prescriptions

If your loved one has received treatment for depression, it’s crucial that you make sure they are taking their medication(s). In addition, make sure any other prescriptions are being taken to ensure maximum health. It has been proven that a lack of energy can lead to depression, in some cases.

Get Quality Sleep

Getting quality sleep is essential for everyone, but it is undoubtedly vital for a senior battling depression. The experts recommend refraining from frequent daytime naps. These naps can impact just how well you will sleep over night. Some retirees will disrupt or get off their normal sleep patterns once their working days are in the past. Staying up later and sleeping in will only aggravate depression, and should be avoided at all costs.

Give Them More Purpose

A huge part of life is having a reason or reasons to get up in the morning. Retirement means there is no longer a job to do and/or less obligations throughout the day. It’s important for everyone, especially our aging parents, to find reasons to get up, groom themselves and get out of the door. Volunteering or getting involved with hobbies like yoga or social groups are great ways to discover more purpose in life.

Eat Well

Our diet has such an impact on the way we feel, physically and mentally. Eating a diet full of excessively starchy, sugary and containing lots of fats will only contribute to depression symptoms. Seniors should opt for diets featuring lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Consult Professionals

Coping with depression is difficult, but you don’t have to let it control your life. If your parent is suffering from depression and you don’t know how to help, turn to a doctor for advice. Mental health professionals will be able to provide you with medications and/or strategies to help deal with the depression.

Consider Assisted Living Communities

Consider the idea of moving your parent into an assisted living facility. While the senior may be hesitant at first, these communities are designed to help care for them. Assisted living facilities will offer a plethora of physical and social activities, and well-balanced meals.

About Ventana Winds

Ventana Winds Retirement Community is a member of SLS Communities and offers Assisted Living and Memory Care services In Youngtown, Arizona.