Know the Signs of Depression in the Elderly
by Kanan James NGO INDIAIf you have an elder in the family or, if you are an elderly
yourself, it is essential to be able to spot the signs of Depression. Though it
can strike even younger people, the elderly are more prone to fall victims to
this mental health problem. This is
primarily because the elderly are more or not, the elderly spend a large part
of their days being by themselves without the benefit of family or friend
interactions. Living in urban areas increases the chance of such isolation. . According
to several studies, urbanization has encouraged nucleation of family systems
and a decline in care and support for the elderly which has also given rise to
depression.
Please learn to
recognize these signs and indications:
·
Sadness or feelings of misery
·
Unexplained or intensified pains
·
Loss of interest in meeting people or hobbies
·
Weight loss or loss of hunger
·
Feelings of hopelessness or dependence
·
Lack of enthusiasm and energy
·
Sleep troubles (trouble falling asleep or
staying asleep, sleeping too long, or daytime tiredness)
·
However, it is the Doctor who is the final
authority on the mental health of the person; so, if you see any of the signs,
you must consult a Doctor qualified to treat Depression.
Depression is always something to be taken seriously, as it
can lead to increasing the possibility of heart attack, declining quality of
life, and weakening of body’s ability to heal from other illnesses. All of this
makes it urgent for the problem to be diagnosed—however, the question is how?
The answer to this question brings us back to our original
point, which is that depression screenings should actually be regular in senior
health care. This is an utterly a non-invasive way for doctors to find out
possible signs of depression. It’s not foolproof, however it’s definitely a
smart safety measure to take, and these screenings can be simply administered
at both yearly wellness visits as well as during visits for chronic troubles.
The identification of depression on time can open the doors
to effective treatment. Even something like socialization on a daily basis
might be useful. Several Senior
Citizen Homes encourage volunteers working for them to understand more
deeply about the problem so that they can provide help
for the elderly who live in an NGO-supported Old Age Home.
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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.