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® Edmonton is Proud to Offer a Wide Range of Home Senior Care Services

Our trained caregivers will ensure your loved one is comfortable, independent and safe in their home. On top of that, we will also aim to enhance their overall health, quality of life and general happiness. 

Top-Notch Home Healthcare for Seniors in Edmonton, Alberta

Comfort Keepers of Edmonton offers a broader range of senior care services. We offer retirement care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, and senior living transition services. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can provide 24-hour care and more!

Helping Seniors Age-in-Place with Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our client’s needs. Our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind, empathy. We strive to stimulate our clients emotionally, mentally and socially, thus enhancing their overall quality of life. 

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). The system increases seniors’ sense of well-being, independence and companionship by focusing on Senior Mind, Senior Body, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Safety.

Affordable and Client-Directed Homecare is Available for Qualifying Albertans

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

What is the Client Directed Home Care Invoicing Program (CDHCI)?

CDHCI is a great program provided by Alberta Health Services (AHS), allowing clients to choose an approved agency like Comfort Keepers Edmonton for Personal Care, Respite Care and Homemaking needs. The chosen agency can then bill AHS directly for services rendered for approved hours through Alberta Blue Cross. Read more about the program HERE.

Accredited Home Care Edmonton

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. This honour demonstrates Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton, AB.

To learn more about senior in-home care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office. Our service territory includes Edmonton, Devon, Sherwood Park, Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office at 780-465-4665.

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