Depression In The Elderly – Symptoms & Prevention Tips

Senior Health and Wellbeing  |  May 15, 2024

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC, Needs to Know About Depression Symptoms and Prevention Tips

How does depression In the elderly affect your family? Regardless of age, living a meaningful and active life that keeps seniors socially connected is important. Unfortunately, seniors can have a more challenging time living their lives to the fullest.

Depression in the Elderly: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. May is the perfect time to consider a loved one’s mental health and well-being. Comfort Keepers Vancouver can help! #MentalHealthAwareness

According to some estimates, over 1.8 million Canadians aged 60 or older live with mental health problems. These issues can make it hard for seniors to make the most of their golden years.

Facts About Depression in the Elderly

Why is it important for seniors to address their mental health issues?

• Seniors have a 60% higher risk of accelerated mental and physical decline than those who do not experience social isolation (Forbes).
• Loneliness is hazardous to one’s physical health. It is estimated that being socially isolated has the same effect as smoking 15 cigarettes per day (AARP.org).
• Depression is closely linked to an increased risk of cardiac diseases and premature death (WebMD).

The most common symptoms of depression include changes in behaviour, fatigue, sleep disorders, weight loss, and self-isolation. These are often accompanied by a lack of interest in once-pleasurable activities.

The following activities can help your loved one stop feeling blue, boost their mental health, and look at things from a more positive perspective

Depression in the Elderly and Four Tips to Help Seniors Feel Better:

Tip #1 Exercise:

A senior-friendly exercise regimen will help your parents increase their strength, balance, and coordination. It can also have a positive effect on their mental health and help them start feeling good about themselves.

Tip #2 Connection:

Staying connected with family and friends is important for maintaining a high quality of life in golden years. Loneliness and depression often occur when seniors cannot drive, experience health and mobility issues, or have loved ones who live far away.

Scheduling services such as professional home care or incidental transportation and using FaceTime or Skype to maintain social connections can help prevent this barrier.

Tip #3 Charity and Volunteer Work:

Making a positive difference in the community can bring a sense of purpose and make your loved one feel content. Mom or Dad can opt for volunteering in one of the many local organizations that include senior-friendly activities in their programs.

Tip #4 Spending Time on Joyful Activities:

Music, carpentry, dancing, gardening, hobbies, or favourite pastime activities can make your loved one happy.

Comfort Keepers®Caregivers Can Help with Depression in the Elderly

Comfort Keepers is the leading provider of customized home care services in Canada, helping older adults living independently at home while making continuous efforts to improve their overall health and well-being.

Our loving caregivers can significantly boost your loved one’s quality of life by providing meaningful companionship and assistance with homemaking tasks, daily chores, meal preparation, transportation to appointments, and more. 

The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC, is Comfort Keepers®

Many families prefer Comfort Keepers® when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, British Columbia. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. Comfort Keepers Vancouver also provides home care services like respite care, overnight care, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Comfort Keeper’s philosophy is to elevate the human spirit, and our caregivers ensure your loved one experiences a better quality of life.

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with personal home care to help maintain the highest possible quality of life, keeping them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Bring The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live with Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide elder care in homes throughout Vancouver, keeping seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond. Please call (604) 689-8609. 

Personal Care and Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

Learn more about our unique service, which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Accredited and Quality Respite Care Available 24/7 for British Columbia Families

Accreditation Canada has awarded Comfort Keepers® Vancouver with Exemplary Standing. This designation is only achieved after an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes undergo a thorough evaluation by industry experts to ensure they meet or exceed the stringent quality standards set by Accreditation Canada for Home Care companies.

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