The incidence of depression in older adults continues to be difficult to diagnose. Part of the problem in diagnosis is that seniors who have serious illnesses or have recently lost their spouse will be expected to have feelings of depression.

Feeling sadness and grief due to loss of a loved one is normal, but if after a significant other dies, continued sadness that affects normal activities is not.

The American Diabetes Association has reported that some studies show that people with diabetes can be more susceptible to depression than others. There is not much evidence that diabetes can physically cause depression, but the management of these debilitating disease can be stress inducing and lead to feelings of alienation.

The person who has some problems controlling their blood sugar can feel life is out of control and this can lead to depression. This state of mind may cause less careful management of the disease and ultimately create a cycle that leads to more desolation.

A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that a positive outlook may have more of an affect on recovery than most people might think.  Previous studies have shown that an optimistic outlook can have a positive effect on function and the ability to return to work, but this recent study shows that it might also affect longevity.

Nearly 3000 patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease were given a questionnaire to determine their perceived outlook on the future following their diagnosis.  The patients were monitored for a fifteen year period following the diagnosis and it was determined

There are a slew of benefits you will experience from regular exercise: it can help keep your weight where you want it, it can strengthen your bones and it can reduce your chances of developing life threatening diseases.  What you might not know about exercise though, is that it can help to improve your mood.

If you’ve been plagued by stress or felling depressed and you just can’t seem to shake it, the best medicine for you may be regular participation in a physical fitness program.   There’s nothing better for clearing your mind after a stressful day than a good bout of rigorous physical activity and studies have shown that exercise increases the brain’s production of chemicals that will naturally elevate your mood.

Finding the perfect activity and regularly participating in it will have you looking better and feeling better and it will help you fight the effects of depression without having to resort to any potentially dangerous prescription drugs.

Be sure to consult your physician and home health care provider prior to beginning any exercise program to ensure that you are choosing the most appropriate regimen for you.  If you have any pain or soreness following your physical activity, it’s important to discuss this with you doctor or care provider as well to make sure that you aren’t participating in an activity that may be too strenuous.  Exercise is an incredible thing, if you follow a regular and appropriate program, you will begin to notice the improvements in both your mood and appearance in no time.

In the senior care field, it is our job to be like a second family to our clients. Many of you reading this are probably thinking of at least one particular situation where you, yourself, needed to assist an elder in battling their depression. As we know, depression is not just a sadness, but a debilitating emotional weight on one’s shoulders. Depression is not, according to a source, “A normal part of aging.” However, it is believed that nearly 20% of the older population goes through some level of intense and overwhelming feelings of unhappiness.

Ehow.com says, “Even more troubling, only half of seniors with mental health problems gets treatment of any kind, and less than 3% get treated by a mental health specialist.”

Causes…

So, we know that there is this major taboo that isn’t often discussed simply because it is a very sensitive subject.

Health.com tells us, “Older adults are fairly resilient considering the stress many of them are under,” according to Joel E. Streim, MD, a geriatric psychiatry specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. “Many older adults are losing companions and spouses, coping with physical disability and dependence, or moving to senior housing. And we know that relocation is one of the most stressful events in anyone’s life. So when depression does occur, it is an illness that must be treated.”

Look for the signs…

Although depression can never be completely avoided, there are ways, as surely many of you reading this already know, to prevent this taboo from taking over an individual. So, what are some warning signs? “Because elderly people don’t always share their thoughts and feelings, friends and family should look for signs indicating possible depression. A few symptoms of depression in the elderly include changes in weight and eating habits, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, statements of unworthiness, irritable moods and complaining more about aches and pains.”

Isolation is one of the major causes for these feelings. Specialty Care Services is proud that our staff and caregivers can touch the lives of so many. Many of these individuals would otherwise be alone in their homes. Sometimes, family is out of state or can only visit on weekends. This is not uncommon. However, the passion and dedication one sees with our staff is a rare quality that we take pride in. It’s a known fact; as human beings we benefit from social interaction. “Because older people experience ongoing loss and significant life changes, it’s important they discuss their feelings.” Simply having a friend to confide in and share with can go a long way.

Hopefully, from reading this E-Newsletter, you will feel inspired. As many of our readers are in the senior care industry, they face this issue on a daily basis and make it part of their job to share a smile or a conversation with a client, a resident, really a friend, every chance they get. The next opportunity you are graced with, show an elder you care. One can only imagine how much it could affect a passing stranger at the grocery store or even a resident in your assisted living facility you see on a daily basis.

Have a wonderful rest of your week and share a smile!

adness, but a debilitating emotional weight on one’s shoulders. Depression is not, according to a source, “A normal part of aging.” However, it is believed that nearly 20% of the older population goes through some level of intense and overwhelming feelings of unhappiness.

Ehow.com says, “Even more troubling, only half of seniors with mental health problems gets treatment of any kind, and less than 3% get treated by a mental health specialist.”

Causes…

So, we know that there is this major taboo that isn’t often discussed simply because it is a very sensitive subject.

Health.com tells us, “Older adults are fairly resilient considering the stress many of them are under,” according to Joel E. Streim, MD, a geriatric psychiatry specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. “Many older adults are losing companions and spouses, coping with physical disability and dependence, or moving to senior housing. And we know that relocation is one of the most stressful events in anyone’s life. So when depression does occur, it is an illness that must be treated.”

Look for the signs…

Although depression can never be completely avoided, there are ways, as surely many of you reading this already know, to prevent this taboo from taking over an individual. So, what are some warning signs? “Because elderly people don’t always share their thoughts and feelings, friends and family should look for signs indicating possible depression. A few symptoms of depression in the elderly include changes in weight and eating habits, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, statements of unworthiness, irritable moods and complaining more about aches and pains.”

Isolation is one of the major causes for these feelings. Specialty Care Services is proud that our staff and caregivers can touch the lives of so many. Many of these individuals would otherwise be alone in their homes. Sometimes, family is out of state or can only visit on weekends. This is not uncommon. However, the passion and dedication one sees with our staff is a rare quality that we take pride in. It’s a known fact; as human beings we benefit from social interaction. “Because older people experience ongoing loss and significant life changes, it’s important they discuss their feelings.” Simply having a friend to confide in and share with can go a long way.

Hopefully, from reading this E-Newsletter, you will feel inspired. As many of our readers are in the senior care industry, they face this issue on a daily basis and make it part of their job to share a smile or a conversation with a client, a resident, really a friend, every chance they get. The next opportunity you are graced with, show an elder you care. One can only imagine how much it could affect a passing stranger at the grocery store or even a resident in your assisted living facility you see on a daily basis.

Have a wonderful rest of your week and share a smile!

In the senior care field, it is our job to be like a second family to our clients. Many of you reading this are probably thinking of at least one particular situation where you, yourself, needed to assist an elder in battling their depression. As we know, depression is not just a sadness, but a debilitating emotional weight on one’s shoulders. Depression is not, according to a source, “A normal part of aging.” However, it is believed that nearly 20% of the older population goes through some level of intense and overwhelming feelings of unhappiness.

Ehow.com says, “Even more troubling, only half of seniors with mental health problems gets treatment of any kind, and less than 3% get treated by a mental health specialist.”

Causes…

So, we know that there is this major taboo that isn’t often discussed simply because it is a very sensitive subject.

Health.com tells us, “Older adults are fairly resilient considering the stress many of them are under,” according to Joel E. Streim, MD, a geriatric psychiatry specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. “Many older adults are losing companions and spouses, coping with physical disability and dependence, or moving to senior housing. And we know that relocation is one of the most stressful events in anyone’s life. So when depression does occur, it is an illness that must be treated.”

Look for the signs…

Although depression can never be completely avoided, there are ways, as surely many of you reading this already know, to prevent this taboo from taking over an individual. So, what are some warning signs? “Because elderly people don’t always share their thoughts and feelings, friends and family should look for signs indicating possible depression. A few symptoms of depression in the elderly include changes in weight and eating habits, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, statements of unworthiness, irritable moods and complaining more about aches and pains.”

Isolation is one of the major causes for these feelings. Specialty Care Services is proud that our staff and caregivers can touch the lives of so many. Many of these individuals would otherwise be alone in their homes. Sometimes, family is out of state or can only visit on weekends. This is not uncommon. However, the passion and dedication one sees with our staff is a rare quality that we take pride in. It’s a known fact; as human beings we benefit from social interaction. “Because older people experience ongoing loss and significant life changes, it’s important they discuss their feelings.” Simply having a friend to confide in and share with can go a long way.

Hopefully, from reading this E-Newsletter, you will feel inspired. As many of our readers are in the senior care industry, they face this issue on a daily basis and make it part of their job to share a smile or a conversation with a client, a resident, really a friend, every chance they get. The next opportunity you are graced with, show an elder you care. One can only imagine how much it could affect a passing stranger at the grocery store or even a resident in your assisted living facility you see on a daily basis.

Have a wonderful rest of your week and share a smile!