What You Need To Know About Depression in Seniors

Edmonton Senior Health  |  January 14, 2020

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know About Living with Depression

Seniors with Depression | Leading a happy, meaningful life is something we all strive for. However, as we age and age-related difficulties start to occur, it can be increasingly hard to enjoy life. In Canada, more and more people older than 60 are depressed, with estimates that a whopping 1.8 million seniors live with mental health problems and illnesses.

The Importance of Mental Health for Seniors with Depression

Common signs of depression in older adults include attitude and behaviour changes, isolation and withdrawal in themselves, weight loss, and lack of interest in activities they previously enjoyed.

#1. Mental & Physical Issues:

Seniors who are lonely and socially isolated have an almost 60% higher risk of mental and physical issues than their socially active counterparts, according to Forbes.

#2. Health Concerns:

Social isolation has the same effect on seniors as smoking 15 cigarettes daily, reports AARP.org.

#3. Premature Death:

Depression increases the risk of heart disease and premature death, as claimed by WebMD.

While all of this may sound grim, the good news is that seniors with depression can improve their mental health and consequently quality of life through pleasurable activities.

How to Improve Well-Being for Seniors with Depression

#1. Exercising:

Engaging in physical activity comes with a range of health benefits not just for the body but for the mind too. However, please make sure to speak with your loved one’s medical team before they engage in an exercise routine.

#2. Connecting with others:

Many seniors become socially isolated due to mobility issues, inability to drive a car or distance from loved ones. Luckily, there are ways to overcome these problems. For instance, you can hire a professional caregiver, include transportation services in your parent’s care plan, and tech that promotes connections, like mobile phones and computers.

#3. Volunteering:

Helping others in need can enable your loved one to regain a sense of purpose and at the same time contribute to their community.

#4. Doing what they love:

Your loved one should focus on senior-friendly hobbies and activities that make them happy, including dancing, gardening or playing games.

Comfort Keepers® in Edmonton Can Help with In-Home Elder Care!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with retirement care, 24-hour care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers®’ are trained caregivers who help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. 

Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality: empathy. Empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Home Care Edmonton

To learn more about senior care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office to discuss our unique service offering. If you live in Devon, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, or Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact Comfort Keepers at 780-465-4665.

Is Invoicing Modelling and Client Direct Home Care the Right Option for You?

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing (CDHCI) Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. Read more about the program HERE.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. Recently awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada, our Edmonton location has achieved the highest available certification in Canada for Home Care services, clearly demonstrating Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton.

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