Losses, loneliness fuel a sharp reminder for seniors during holidays
Depression hits hard for millions of people no matter the season.
But it can often be especially true and particularly harsh around the winter holidays when a ubiquitous marketing campaign is centered on stimulating joy wrapped into interactions with relatives, and both giving and receiving gifts.
Pressures that include financial ones, pleasing guests and time and travel constraints play a typical heavy burden during the holidays and tend to zap expectations for enjoyment.
“At this hectic time of year, it is important that people take care of their mental health, especially in communities whose members feel disproportionately burdened or excluded from what is traditionally considered the holiday season,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, American Psychological Association’s chief executive officer in a Nov. 23 publication.
Perhaps the group most vulnerable to the blues, however, is the senior population. Loss of loved ones become reminders, isolation, lack of independence and lack of mobility are contributors.
The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) offers warning signs that an older person may need help from a mental health professional, including:
Suicidal thoughts are not the norm even in very old persons and their presence indicates the need for professional help.
An escalation in the use of alcohol, pain relievers (analgesics) or sleeping pills may indicate depression.
Seniors who seem confused, cannot concentrate or seem lost in the midst of family events may benefit from a professional assessment.
Shedding a tear of two during the holidays is a sign of sentiment. But when crying becomes disruptive or disabling it may be a sign of depression.
Seniors who suddenly isolate themselves are clearly having problems.
The AAGP offers suggestions that family members and caregivers can do to help seniors vulnerable to falling into deep depression, led by an assertiveness to openly discuss concerns with a senior’s doctor.
It notes that simply talking with the senior in question is inadequate, as they are likely to dismiss the subject, underestimate the worry and not follow through with talking to their physician or counsel about depression.
Actions to Help vulnerable seniors who can’t be visited in person during the holidays include (from AAGP):
Ask whether the facility the senior resides provides physical and social activities for the residents. Like all of us, elderly family members need to get exercise if they can and need to have positive interaction with friends and peers.
Ask about the qualifications of staff professionals monitoring care, especially regarding the careful dispensing of all medications.
Ask specifically about mental health care, including access to group therapy.
Ask about the availability of psychiatric care through a staff or affiliated psychiatrist