Are You at Risk for Depression?
Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can be a challenging experience, and you may find yourself going through a wide variety of emotions. If you are facing a particularly difficult experience, or have other factors impacting you, you might even face depression. This is a very common mental health issue, affecting more than 18 million adults throughout the United States each year. It can lead to a variety of potentially serious consequences such as headaches, fatigue, hopelessness, emptiness, loss of motivation, increased risk for illness, and more. Understanding your risk factors for depression can help you recognize when you are vulnerable to this condition, and intervene early to protect yourself from the risks.
Senior Care in Mission Viejo CA: Are You At Risk for Depression?
Some factors that could put you at increased risk for depression as a family caregiver include:
- Being a woman.
- Frequently not getting enough sleep.
- Not eating a healthy diet.
- Not being married.
- Not having a strong social support system.
- Not getting enough exercise.
- Dealing with your own health problems and challenges.
- Financial strain.
- Lower education.
- Dealing with a challenged or strained relationship with your aging loved one.
- Facing a progressive disease in your aging parent.
- Facing a terminal disease in your aging parent.
- Being a smoker.
- Excessive alcohol use.
- Difficult work environment.
- Not getting enough support and assistance from others for caring for your elderly parent.
- Living at a distance from your parent.
If you are at risk for depression, it is important to be aware of this risk, and take steps to reduce that risk and protect yourself as your parent ages. Even if you do not feel that you are depressed now, or that you can handle it, consider interventions to protect yourself for improved mental and emotional health throughout your caregiver journey. Talk to your doctor about this issue, find a support group designed for caregivers, and reach out to your loved ones including your partner and your friends to keep your mental and emotional well-being at its best. This will support your own quality of life, and also help you to be the best caregiver you can be for your senior and all those who rely on you.
If you are suffering from depression, or you want to protect yourself from the potential consequences of this disease during your experience as a family caregiver, senior care can help. Including a senior home care services provider into your care routine with your aging parent can help to reduce the stress and pressure on you that can lead to depression. A senior home care services provider can be with your aging parent to fill care gaps, manage challenging or sensitive tasks, and give you time and flexibility in your schedule. This allows you to manage other responsibilities, keep up with favorite activities and hobbies, and stay connected to your partner, children, friends, and others who will provide valuable support as you care for your parent.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering senior care in Mission Viejo, CA, please contact the caring staff at Easy Living Home Care today. Providing Non-Medical Home Care Services in Orange County, CA since 2009. Call for Assistance: (949) 282-5017 or (949) 842-6831
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/mentalhealth/depression.htm
https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
At a very young age it was always Ms. LaPorte’s passion to work with the elderly. She was a caregiver at a nursing home in high school and college and volunteered in senior centers and senior events held by the city in which she grew up. After graduation, Ms. LaPorte became a special education teacher for sixteen years.
She put her teaching career on the sidelines to raise two wonderful children, during which her passion for the elderly inspired her to start Easy Living Home Care in 2009. Ms. Laporte wanted to help people, especially seniors, find competent, qualified, and caring in-home care at reasonable rates.
Ms LaPorte takes an active role in conducting and managing all operations of her business. She is patient, compassionate and listens. Ms. Laporte is always available to her clients and staff.
In her spare time, Lori volunteers for the American Red Cross and Leashes of Love canine rescue organization.
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