As seniors advance in age, they often encounter new stressors that can have an impact on emotional health. Losing loved ones, retiring, and adjusting to new health conditions can all take a toll. Understanding the difference between a normal reaction to a life change and those responses that might require professional help is an essential aspect of providing high-quality long-term home care for a senior loved one. Here are a few of the common emotional issues older adults face.
Grief
When a senior loses a close loved one, such as a spouse, it’s normal to experience a period of sadness during which he or she may lose interest in ordinary activities. Crying, anger, and reminiscing about the past may also occur. It’s important to allow your loved one to work through these emotions during this time. However, it may be necessary to seek professional help if the grief becomes prolonged or begins to affect your parent’s overall health.
Depression
Serious depression is fairly common among seniors, who often experience feelings of isolation or difficulty adapting to life changes. Be alert for signs of depression following a loss or a change in your loved one’s health. Seniors with depression may experience periods of sadness or apathy that go beyond two weeks and interfere with normal activities. Planning for regular social interaction each day can prevent some cases of depression.
For families living in Las Vegas, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Anxiety
Seniors often find they have many new worries during their golden years that can lead to chronic anxiety. While it’s normal to feel slightly anxious before a medical procedure or other new event, those who experience feelings of anxiety throughout the day may need help handling their stress. Serious cases of anxiety may include symptoms such as nausea, a racing heartbeat, and an urge to avoid or flee a situation. Counseling and medication can be used to alleviate these symptoms.
A senior’s anxiety can be mitigated with the help of a professional caregiver. Home Care Las Vegas agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
Anger
There can be many reasons for a senior to begin lashing out in anger. For some seniors, other emotional or physical conditions cause them to become unhappy with their life situations. Anger can also be a symptom of dementia or a side effect of certain medications. When your loved one begins to express more anger than normal, it may be necessary to talk to his or her physician to rule out underlying causes. Then relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga can be practiced with the help of a caregiver to help your parent address challenging emotions.
Emotional issues can have a significant impact on seniors’ overall health and wellbeing, so they should be addressed with compassion and empathy. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elder care. Las Vegas families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. Call us today at 702-919-0231 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.
