For many seniors, the holidays can be especially sad and depressing.
For many seniors, the holidays can be especially sad and depressing.
For many seniors, the holidays are not a time of celebration and joy, but a reminder of how lonely he or she may be, the friends that have passed on, the lack of family get-togethers and an inability to participate in holiday functions. Commonly known as the holiday blues, elderly depression during the holidays affects seniors around the world, and not only during the traditional American holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but other events as well.
Elderly depression, loneliness, lack of social interaction, and an inability to get around severely limit many senior’s ability to join in on holiday occasions which leads to depression.
Common Symptoms of Elderly Depression during the Holidays.
Family members and friends are cautioned to be alert to signs of holiday depression among seniors, regardless of whether they live on their own, with family members or in a long-term care facility.
Depression is more apparent in seniors who have limited options for travel, or whose family members aren’t close by. Some of the most common symptoms of elderly depression during the holidays may include:
- Change in sleeping habits
- Difficulty sleeping
- Apathy or lethargy
- Change of appetite
- Loss of interest in activities
- Loss of interest in socializing
These are just a few and individuals who know how mom or dad usually act are usually the first to pick up on clues that something isn’t right. Picking up on such clues is essential in order to help provide seniors with the attention and care needed to prevent serious repercussions and side effects of depression.
Children of aging parents can take several steps to ensure the mental health and well-being of their loved ones. Arrange regular phone contact when family members are distant to help them feel loved and cared for. If you are close, scheduling regular visits to long-term care facilities is also important so that seniors don’t feel they have been abandoned and forgotten.
Do whatever you can to involve an aging parent in holiday activities, whether it’s filling out Christmas cards, helping plan get-togethers or helping with arts and crafts for holiday decorating. Even the smallest activity can help them feel apart of the holidays.
If your family member is depressed, before starting them on an anti-depressant, ask their physician or long-term care facility if they have a pharmacogenetic test on file. This simple swab of the cheek will let your family members clinical caregivers know if the medication they are taking is appropriate and giving them the therapy they need. Depression is serious, especially for seniors who become inactive.
For more information on pharmacogenetic testing, contact PGx Medical, the trusted and experienced resource for the implementation of pharmacogenetics in the field of aging services.
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
info@pgxmed.com
405-509-5112
source: boomerswithelderlyparents.com