Depression in Seniors Can Be Exacerbated in Springtime

By: LivHOME | 1,016 Shares 164 Reads

Recognizing Signs of Depression, Communicating with Seniors Can Lead to Brighter Days

March 20, 2012 // Franchising.com // Los Angeles, CA - The advent of spring doesn’t always boost seniors’ moods. In fact, it can mean darker days and increased anxiety for seniors suffering from depression, says Kelley Richard, a Care Manager at LivHOME.

Kelley talks about how the transition to spring can exacerbate depression in seniors in Episode 28 of The Senior Care Podcast by LivHOME. She also explores the signs of depression in seniors, treatment options and steps their loved ones and caregivers can take to help.

“Typically, winter is associated with the blues and spring is considered a time of increased energy, optimism and hope. But for seniors suffering from depression, the change of season can make feelings of sadness, hopelessness and lethargy worse. The change of weather, often accompanied by longer, brighter days, can actually overwhelm seniors since they’re forced to adjust to new external conditions. This can make them feel extremely anxious, and in some cases, vulnerable and exposed,” Richard says.

“As spring begins, it’s important for seniors’ families and caregivers to be aware of the signs of depression and able to step in when they arise. Communicating with their senior loved ones, acknowledging in advance that depression may occur – especially if the senior has displayed a pattern of it in the past – and being ready to help him or her seek appropriate treatment can make all the difference between a prolonged struggle and improvement,” she continues.

Signs of depression in seniors include fatigue, withdrawal, indifference to favorite activities and sleep disturbances. Because the signs often resemble symptoms of other conditions, family members and caregivers should also stay on the lookout for memory loss and decreased personal hygiene.

The episode Depression in Seniors can be found on The Senior Care Podcast’s homepage. Listeners can subscribe via RSS feed, email or though the iTunes store. Episode 28, Depression in Seniors, has a run time of 10 minutes, 59 seconds.

About LivHOME

LivHOME is one of the nation's largest providers of professionally led at-home care for seniors. The company is dedicated to finding solutions that enable older adults to remain in their homes as long as possible. Based in Los Angeles, LivHOME delivers high quality at-home care throughout California as well as Arlington, Va., Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Silver Spring, Md. LivHOME franchise locations are available across the U.S.

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