10 WAYS TO HELP SENIORS DEAL WITH ISOLATION AND DEPRESSION

Many older adults go through major life changes that could make them more vulnerable to depression. But it’s heartbreaking to stand by and watch someone deal with depression or loneliness on their own. Zara Lewis shares 10 ways you can help your older adult cope with symptoms and improve their quality of life.

According to WHO estimates, depression affects about 280 million people of all ages worldwide.

While coping with depression is tough, it’s even more difficult to watch an aging family member struggle with it.

As my depressed mother-in-law’s caregiver, I’ve come up with a list of tips I wish to share with other caregivers to make it easier for them to help their older adult deal with isolation and depression.

1. Treat sleeping problems

Many older adults who live alone are prone to sleeping problems which can aggravate depression.

To prevent serious depressive episodes, see to it that the older adult keeps a regular sleep schedule and doesn’t take daytime naps.

If the person suffers from sundowning or sleep disorder, keep engaging activities or necessary medication close at hand.

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2. Promote a sense of purpose

Struggle with depression is much tougher for people who’ve lost their sense of purpose in life.

To keep loneliness and brooding at bay, encourage the older adult to take up a hobby such as knitting or gardening.

You can also encourage them to try social pastime activities such as card playing, yoga, or volunteer work for a local charity.

3. Encourage social interaction

Don’t let your loved one deal with depression on their own: encourage them to visit friends and extended family, take part in group outings, and attend community events.

Studies suggest that an active social life improves physical, mental, and emotional health, which are especially important for the elderly struggling with loneliness and depression.

4. Keep them physically active

Research found that physical activity can be a lifesaver for aging persons.

Gentle exercises such as walking, stair climbing, and age-appropriate workouts can help an older adult stay in solid physical, mental, and emotional shape.

You can also encourage the depressed person to sign up for a group exercise class like yoga or tai chi – they might even make friends with like-minded peers.

5. Make sure they eat healthy

Help the depressed person to maintain a healthy diet.

Focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. 

Include a variety of proteins like seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), soy products, nuts, and seeds.

And reduce foods with added sugars, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.

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6. Entrust them with a chore

Older adults who live alone often get caught up in a whirlwind of negative thinking. It would be great if you could entrust them with a meaningful responsibility.

For people who are mobile, a dog will make a perfect companion that will make them feel loved and needed, keep them physically active, and serve as a social lubricant.

I’ve found caring for a plant can also be a potent mood-booster: my mother-in-law’s depression has improved since I bought her a moringa tree to look after.

7. Show them they’re loved

Love makes the world go round, and it can help keep an older adult’s depression under control.

Show aging older adults that you love and need them, listen to them, and hug them often.

Expressions of love are especially important for someone who is widowed and might need more support and affection to deal with grief.

8. Seek professional help

Decreases in appetite and behavioral changes can be a symptom of depression getting worse.

Contact a mental health professional and sign them up for counseling if you suspect the disorder is getting out of hand.

The therapist may recommend antidepressants, but in less serious cases, alternative medicine like aromatherapy or occupational therapy may be a better option.

9. Keep an eye on pills

In case your depressed family member is using antidepressants, you should make sure they take medications regularly and follow the doctor’s orders in terms of dosage, lifestyle, and diet.

You may also need to help manage medication. Remind them to take their daily dose and watch the medicine cabinet for signs of abuse or skipped doses.

10. Consider home care

For older adults who are living independently, you can hire someone to check on them daily and help with day-to-day chores such as grocery shopping and bathing.

Until I convinced my mother-in-law to move in with us, she’d been on full-time home care in San Francisco. Though it was a temporary solution, it made traveling over the holidays far less stressful knowing that she was in good hands.