Tips for Helping an Individual Who Is Experiencing Depression

Depression is something that we’ve covered before. It can be especially prominent in the elderly population, especially with winter’s decreased hours of sunlight and cold weather. As a caregiver, it can be difficult to see your elderly loved one experiencing depression. It’s easy to try to blame yourself and it can be hard not to internalize everything, but as a caregiver you can’t do that. Here are some things to do when you are caring for an individual with depression:

Bring your loved one to a medical professional.

Make sure they are being properly evaluated and supported by a physician.

Educate yourself on the symptoms and signs of depression and remember that it is a clinical diagnosis.

Take some time to learn about the disease and ask your elderly loved one’s physician about the symptoms and signs. If you know that a certain behavior is linked to depression, then you will be less likely to blame yourself.

Try to schedule time to bring your elderly loved one outside.

You can rearrange their schedule to maximize your time outside so that they can get some time in the sun. This will help increase Vitamin D production and will help to increase their mood.

Support them and be there for them.

Encourage your elderly loved one to talk about what they are experiencing or feeling, and make a plan to work through their feelings. Whether it is going to a movie when they are feeling down or just staying in and talking, you can work with your elderly loved one to show them that you are there to support them.

Keep them on any prescribed treatments.

This is perhaps one of the most important things to do as a caregiver, but these treatments will help them recover.

Take time out of your day for yourself.

This is incredibly important. You can’t support your elderly loved one if you are emotionally drained and exhausted. Take at least fifteen minutes every day and take some time to yourself.

For more information, you can visit the following website:

WebMD: When A Loved One Has Depression