Depression In Home Care Essay
In Home Care and Depression
Depression is a serious condition that requires professional intervention. While we all feel down from time to time, depression goes well beyond these occasional feelings of being down in the dumps or having the blues. According to the National Library of Medicine, clinical depression "is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or more." Over a quarter of all suicides are a direct result of depression. Given the severity of the disease, it is worrisome that an estimated 10 million American seniors over the age of 65 are depressed.
The first step in treating depression is seeking the help of a therapist or psychiatrist. Sadly, many seniors …show more content…
If caught in time, depression can be successfully treated.
During treatment, in home care personnel can make a world of difference. After all, seniors who are depressed may not feel like going to their therapy sessions or taking their medication. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), notes, "Once geriatric depression symptoms have been correctly diagnosed, 80 percent of cases are treated effectively by medication and psychotherapy." Yet, for the treatment to work, seniors need to take advantage of the help that is available.
In addition to providing direct support, in home care providers help combat depression indirectly as well. In fact, research suggests that just having somebody to talk to is one of the most important elements of combatting senior depression. With Comfort Keepers in home care, your senior loved one will develop a relationship with caregivers through the interactive care model. Of course, support does not need to be anything large and dramatic. A study by UCLA psychologists found that just viewing a photo of loved ones can improve a person's state of mind and even reduce
Depression is a serious condition that requires professional intervention. While we all feel down from time to time, depression goes well beyond these occasional feelings of being down in the dumps or having the blues. According to the National Library of Medicine, clinical depression "is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or more." Over a quarter of all suicides are a direct result of depression. Given the severity of the disease, it is worrisome that an estimated 10 million American seniors over the age of 65 are depressed.
The first step in treating depression is seeking the help of a therapist or psychiatrist. Sadly, many seniors …show more content…
If caught in time, depression can be successfully treated.
During treatment, in home care personnel can make a world of difference. After all, seniors who are depressed may not feel like going to their therapy sessions or taking their medication. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), notes, "Once geriatric depression symptoms have been correctly diagnosed, 80 percent of cases are treated effectively by medication and psychotherapy." Yet, for the treatment to work, seniors need to take advantage of the help that is available.
In addition to providing direct support, in home care providers help combat depression indirectly as well. In fact, research suggests that just having somebody to talk to is one of the most important elements of combatting senior depression. With Comfort Keepers in home care, your senior loved one will develop a relationship with caregivers through the interactive care model. Of course, support does not need to be anything large and dramatic. A study by UCLA psychologists found that just viewing a photo of loved ones can improve a person's state of mind and even reduce