Your senior years can be a time of great enjoyment, discovery, and peace. However, depression can sneak up on anyone. A senior citizen is just as vulnerable as a high school student. Despite this, seniors are the group most often overlooked when struggling with depression. People assume that the signs of depression are caused by other sources, like illness or the side effects of medication. Knowing the senior health news you need to identify a depressed senior will give you the edge you need to help them.
The most common signs of depression, including fatigue, loss of interest in activities or social interaction, or loss of appetite, are not a natural part of the aging process. A senior struggling with depression may just need one person to reach out and help them get the support they need to make it through difficult times. Here at Senior Health & Lifestyle News, we’ve got the senior health news you need to help. Read on to discover the best ways to help a depressed senior.
6 Tips for Helping a Depressed Senior
Be Supportive and Welcoming
While you may be worried about a person struggling with depression, the best approach is to not let them see this. When anxiety manifests as frustration or anger, it makes a depressed person withdraw. Instead, stay calm and try to find out if anything is causing the depression. Getting them to open up is the best way to start the healing process.
Don’t Use the “D” Word
Nothing makes a depressed person clam up faster than hearing the word “depression”. Depressed people rarely like to think about themselves as depressed, assuming their feelings are nothing special. To keep them from raising barriers that will end the conversation, use words like “sad” or “struggling”. This gets across your worries without making them defensive.
Create a No-Judgement Environment
Many people with depression worry about causing trouble for others. When talking to a depressed senior, the best way to get them to seek help is to empower them. Make them feel like it’s their decision to seek help. Your role is to support them as they get the help they need, not to judge them or do the work for them. By empowering them and making them feel respected, you increase the odds they’ll reach out.
Help to Break Things Down
Seeking help for depression can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of things to do and many people to talk to, and this can make the depressed person feel like a burden. Offer the support they need without taking over. You want them to feel in charge of their mental well-being and like they’re a capable person. Help them break down tasks into smaller activities they can handle easily.
Helping Doesn’t End at the Door
Seeing a therapist for the first time can be intimidating to anyone, and a senior who has never done it before may find it stressful. Reach out to both the person with depression and the therapist to see if they’re comfortable with you being on hand to assist or counsel as needed.
Now the Fun Part
A big part of the recovery process is getting back to normal activities. As your friend addresses their depression, be on hand to remind them of the things they used to love. As they’re ready, introduce those activities back into their routine. It’s easier to fight depression when surrounded by friends and fun.
The Time Is Now
If you know a senior struggling with depression, reaching out can make an immediate difference and help them begin the road to recovery. Follow Senior Health & Lifestyle News for all the senior health news you need to help the people you care about enjoy good mental health.
