Finding adequate senior care The Woodlands, TX can be difficult for any family. The person who may be affected the most, however, tends to be the seniors themselves. No one wants to be thrust into unfamiliar surroundings. Being forced to move into an assisted living facility or a medical environment can make seniors feel helpless and trapped.
Some seniors might see it as a loss of dignity when they lack the means for complete independence. Realizing you can’t do the things you used to do so easily is more than enough to drag down your mood. Feeling like a burden from your loss of function worsens the situation. These negative emotions can multiply and manifest as a severe mental issue: depression.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 20 percent of adults aged 55 or older experience some form of mental illness, with depression being the most common. People may need more care and support to maintain their mental health as they age. Fortunately, the staff at Friendly Faces Senior Care has experience dealing with patients who suffer from mental health issues, including depression. Our team members can take a training course specifically aimed at tackling mental health problems.
Call us today to book a free consultation. We can discuss your loved one’s unique circumstances and determine if one of our loving caregivers would suit them.
Recognizing Depression in Senior Adults
Some common signs and symptoms of depression in adults include feelings of sadness or emptiness, loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, problems with sleep, fatigue, changes in appetite, and difficulty concentrating. If you are concerned that a senior adult in your life may be depressed, it is essential to talk to them about it and encourage them to seek help from a qualified and trusted mental health professional.
Friendly Faces Senior Care specializes in caregiving for clients with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Did you know that an estimated 50% of individuals with Alzheimer’s also suffer from some form of depression? Either condition can potentially worsen the other, which is why it’s crucial to identify if your senior family member is suffering from either one. Some research suggests that depression may lead to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, which is another reason to keep an eye out for depression symptoms.
The critical potential link between mental conditions doesn’t stop there. Regardless of whether an individual has Alzheimer’s, any senior with depression may suffer from a decline in physical health, cognitive abilities, and social engagement. The tendency of Alzheimer’s patients to withdraw from social activities can worsen depression, which is why it’s so important to have a support system in place.
How Our Senior Care The Woodlands, TX Helps
Our caregivers hope to help seniors realize that being unable to live independently isn’t the end of the world. It’s simply a new chapter in their lives that they can experience together with a friendly, compassionate caretaker. The team at Friendly Faces Senior Care can become the sunshine in a person’s otherwise gray and stormy life. Aside from providing help with light housekeeping duties and chores, in-home caregivers provide numerous other benefits to seniors.
In fact, there are several ways in which in-home senior care can reduce depression in elderly patients. One is by providing companionship and social interaction. This can help to ease feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can contribute to depression.
Reliable providers of senior care The Woodlands, TX can also provide practical assistance with activities of daily living, which can help to reduce feelings of helplessness and despair. Finally, senior care can promote physical activity and engagement in meaningful activities. Both of these can help to improve mood and reduce depression.
Tips to Remember
Mental health is undoubtedly profoundly connected with physical health, which is why it’s just as important to take care of your brain as your body. Friendly Faces Senior Care focuses on both physical and mental wellness, working to keep seniors as mobile as possible within their means. Our caregivers strive to keep up seniors’ moods as well.
Mental wellness is a team effort. While some aspects are more easily conquered with the help of a trusted friend or caregiver, some parts must be tackled on your own. At the end of the day, the person with depression is ultimately responsible for the state of their mental well-being. However, there are some proactive measures that seniors can take to maintain their mental health, which include:
- Getting enough sleep is essential for the body and mind, and older adults often need more rest than younger people.
- When stressed, our bodies release stress hormones, which can make us tired and irritable. Taking regular breaks can help reduce stress levels and improve productivity.
- Maintaining a positive attitude is just as important as the above tips. Making a habit of looking at the bright side of things can improve your general mental condition.
Your Loved One is Not Alone
Our caregivers do their best to keep cheering on clients who are struggling to keep a positive outlook on life. Are you worried about your loved one’s progress on their mental health quest? Don’t be – you can keep track of their mood and any notes that our caregivers take with our helpful online portal, The Family Room. Anyone granted access to the portal can check it, including physicians and psychiatrists.
For more information on mental health, please visit our resources page. Please visit our news page or the blog section if you’d like to read the latest news about our work. Finally, if you have questions regarding our services, feel free to call us or visit our helpful FAQ page.
If you want to find the best senior care The Woodlands, TX, consider reaching out to Friendly Faces Senior Care.
Fun Facts for The Woodlands, TX:
- The Woodlands exists not as a city but instead as an unincorporated master-planned community.
- George P. Mitchell established The Woodlands in 1974.
- The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion, a large outdoor venue for the performing arts, makes its home in The Woodlands.