At 82, Katrina had always loved the holiday season and looked forward to every family gathering and event.
However, this year her elder care provider noticed that she was lethargic and rarely smiled. In fact, she complained of headaches and quickly grew irritated when she was usually quite even-tempered. When the elder care provider observed Katrina sleeping for long periods in the day and weeping frequently, he notified Katrina’s daughter about what he thought were holiday depression symptoms.
Holiday depression goes beyond feeling a little blue. In elderly adults, it can lead to health issues that can impact them for many months. This mental health issue is common yet is often undiagnosed and untreated in the elderly. Family caregivers should pay close attention to their aging relatives as the holidays approach to look for signs of holiday depression. They can also take steps to reduce the risk of holiday depression in seniors.
What is Holiday Depression?
Holiday depression is a depressive state that is triggered by celebrating the winter holidays. It is often linked to the absence of many of the issues that bring people joy during this time of year. Triggers might include grief, isolation, financial stress, health issues, and even seasonal affective disorder. Symptoms of holiday depression include fatigue, headaches, increased irritability, feelings of guilt or despair, mood swings, poor hygiene, and alcohol or drug abuse.
If family members are not familiar with the symptoms of holiday depression, their elderly relative could be suffering and in need of treatment. It’s important for family caregivers to communicate with everyone who assists the elderly person, such as other family members, friends, and elder care providers. Everyone should be on the lookout for depressive symptoms and notify the family caregiver, so they can act.
Treatment for Holiday Depression
Holiday depression can significantly impact an elderly person’s physical and mental health, as well as their overall quality of life. When the aging adult goes to the doctor for a diagnosis, the medical expert will usually prescribe an antidepressant and recommend talk therapy. Holiday depression can also unmask other mental health issues that need attention, so it’s a good thing for family caregivers to help their aging loved ones facilitate.
At home, family caregivers and elder care providers can do a lot to reduce the risk of holiday depression in seniors. They can plan on outings such as social gatherings of friends, family parties and religious events that celebrate joy and togetherness in a low-stress environment. To help seniors feel less isolated, family caregivers and elder care providers can facilitate attendance at holiday-related outings, such as music concerts, shopping trips, and community celebrations.
There are many things to be happy about during the holidays, but often this attention highlights underlying worries, fears, and emotions in elderly adults. When family caregivers understand more about holiday depression, they can take steps to reduce the risk and provide help as needed to their elderly loved ones.
For more information about hiring Home Care Services in Pacific Beach, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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