Awareness is one of the most important tools you can have as a family caregiver. When you are caring for your elderly adult, being aware of not only what they are currently going through, but what they might go through, allows you to make the best decisions for your aging parent. Understanding risk factors for issues such as depression enables you to detect when your parent might be dealing with this issue, take steps to prevent it, and prepare yourself for giving them the best quality of care possible to help them manage their depression as they age in place.
Some risk factors that increase potential for depression include:
Being a woman.
Not having a life partner, either through divorce, lifestyle choice, or death.
Not having a social network to provide support.
Going through stressful life events, such as moving, losing friends or family members, or experiencing a traumatic event such as a crime or severe weather emergency.
Living with one or more chronic health conditions.
Living with certain health issues, such as alzheimer’s disease.
Taking certain medications, or undergoing certain treatments.
Experience damage to their body, such as extensive surgery, severe injury, loss of control or use of limbs, or severe illness.
Having a personal or family history of major depressive disorder.
Fearing mortality.
Living alone.
Feeling lonely or isolated.
Living with severe pain, particularly if it is chronic.
If your parent is experiencing depression, do not hesitate to get in touch with their doctor. This will give you the opportunity to discuss the condition, encourage your parent to get the help they need, and get recommendations for how you can help your parent manage this condition in the ways that are truly right for them.
Understanding the risks your senior is facing in their physical, mental or emotional health is a valuable element of being a family caregiver. When you have detected risks your senior is facing, introducing senior care into their care routine can be an exceptional way for them to manage and reduce this risk. If your aging parent is dealing with higher risk for depression, a senior home care services provider can make a tremendous difference for them. Helping them to make good lifestyle choices, providing companionship and emotional support, and even just paying attention to their condition and providing you with updates can prove extremely valuable. These services can help your parent to manage the risks they are facing, make choices to help reduce those risks, and live a healthier lifestyle as they age in place.
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