Preventing Elderly Depression
Depression is not a compulsory element of the aging process. However, sudden and unexpected events like the death of a spouse, deterioration in one’s health condition, an intense feeling of isolation and insecurity, difficulty in adjusting to unfamiliar situations in life or retirement from work can lead an elder person to suffer from depression, especially if the person lacks a strong support system. Depression is known to increase the risk of illness, death, and suicidal tendency among the elderly. |
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Here is a list of activities that would help in preventing elderly depression.
- Rather than sitting alone at home and experiencing the pangs of loneliness, elderly people can engage themselves in activities of their interest -- it could be anything that they enjoy doing, like cooking, gardening, sewing, painting, social service, etc -- which ultimately makes them feel happy and satisfied.
- Socializing has a great healing effect on lonely and disturbed minds. So, elders can plan a pleasant evening out with close friends -- watching a movie which you have been longing to watch for very long, pampering yourself to great food of your choice, at your favourite restaurant, or visiting a common friend whom you have longed to meet -- which will keep the mind off any kind of negative or depressing feelings and pep up one’s social life.
- Staying alert and trying to learn and grasp something new keeps the mind working in the positive direction. One must never reach a stage of complacency as it leads to stagnation of mental abilities. Elders must try to engage themselves in as much mental exercise as possible because it never allows a person’s thoughts to stray negatively. The best option is to set a challenge for yourself by deciding to master a new skill such as cooking, painting, writing, playing or singing. By doing so, your mind will focus on learning and mastering a new skill.
- Elders must learn to prepare themselves for changes in their lives. However, they can ease the effort by maintaining the same old lifestyle as much as possible -- for instance, you can continue with your exercise regime even in the new place, watch your favorite television show at the same time as you used to do every evening, stay in regular touch with family, friends, neighbors, through phone calls -- since it imparts a sense of normalcy to an otherwise turbulent life.
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