"Get Fit For Your Future" is the theme of 2023's Counseling Awareness Month. Your dad's mental and emotional health are extremely important as he ages, but he may be too proud or embarrassed to talk about the anxiety he experiences. He may not want to address that he believes he's depressed.
Take time during April's Counseling Awareness Month to have an honest conversation with your dad. Find out where his mental and emotional health are and how you can help him as he navigates mental health concerns.
Look At the Most Common Triggers for Depression
Around 20 million older adults have anxiety or depression. Less than half of those people get the help they need.
What are some of the biggest causes of depression in older adults? Get to know them and see how many of them fit your dad’s situation.
- Relationship Changes: The death of a spouse is the biggest, but deaths of other family members, friends, and business associates can also impact him.
- Chronic Illness: If your dad is diagnosed with a chronic illness, it can lead to depression, especially if it impacts his quality of life.
- Financial Strain: Trouble with finances is another stressor. If your dad is struggling to keep up with his bills on his retirement income, the stress can increase the risk of anxiety and even depression.
- Insomnia: Poor sleep is a factor in anxiety and depression. If your dad isn’t sleeping seven to eight hours a night, it’s a problem. Depression can also increase the risk of developing insomnia.
- Holidays and Special Events: If your dad is a widower, certain times of the year will be tougher for him than others. It includes things like wedding anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.
- Seasonal Changes: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real condition that leads to a mild depression when the days are shorter. It’s often tied to shifts in the circadian rhythm.
Even if there is no known cause, you have to take depression seriously. It's unlikely that it will go away without lifestyle changes. Walking in the sun and fresh air, a healthy, balanced diet, and socialization are key.
How do you know if your dad's depressed? No two cases are identical, but you might notice he doesn't want to get out of bed. He doesn't take care of himself like he used to. He's not eating, or he's binge eating on foods of poor nutritional quality.
Arrange Companionship Services and Visits
If your dad lives alone, he should have people visiting as often as possible. He may need help running errands or getting to his appointments. Make sure he has that support from family members or home care aides.
When you work long hours, you may struggle to find the time to help your dad. That doesn't mean he has to go without or take risks trying to do things independently. Arrange to have home care aides helping him out with his daily activities.
Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-to-improve-access-to-mental-health-and-substance-use-care-for-older-adults
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HIRING HOME CARE IN SUNNYVALE, CA, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS TODAY. (408) 317-4969
