Seniors often go through many major life changes, such as retirement, loss of a spouse, declining health, etc. which make them vulnerable to depression. It is also quite heartbreaking for family members to watch their aging loved one succumb to depression. If you have a senior member in your family, here are a few ways you can help them cope with stress and improve the quality of their life.
- Promote a sense of purpose – The fight with depression tends to get tougher for those with no sense of purpose in life. To help your loved one keep stress, loneliness, and isolation at bay, encourage them to take up a hobby or learn something new that they always wanted to when they were young, but couldn’t due to other responsibilities. Besides that, encouraging them to volunteer for a local charity is also a great way to promote a sense of purpose in their life.
- Encourage social interaction – Encourage your senior loved one to visit friends & extended family, go for group outings, & attend community events. According to studies, an active social life helps improve the physical, mental, as well as emotional well-being of a person, especially when they are experiencing feelings of loneliness or are depressed.
- Keep them physically active – Staying active can be a lifesaver for the elderly. Light exercises, like stair climbing, walking, etc. can help them stay in a good physical, mental, & emotional shape. You can also encourage your depressed loved one to join a group exercise class, such as Tai Chi or Yoga. This way, not only will they be able to stay fit, but also meet like-minded people and become friends with them.
If you aren’t able to care for your senior loved one because of your other personal or professional responsibilities, leave it to our compassionate caregivers. As one of the most trusted senior home care agencies in NJ, we provide excellent care services to the elderly. To know more, feel free to visit http://associatedcares.com/ or call @ 1-844-284-4844.
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