If you have agreed to provide some form of elder care to an aging parent or other loved one, you may be exposed to some behaviors or emotions that you wouldn’t have expected from them. Anger and depression are two common issues that elderly individuals contend with from time to time.
These are not any different than what other adults and even children may have to contend with at some point in their life or another. Anger and depression have similar roots for their causes. However, they could also be related to certain medications that the individual’s taking. It could also be a disposition that the elderly individual has taken in recent years.
The changes in elderly individual faces.
As a person ages, their body begins to change. Things that they were able to do previously they are no longer able to do. Their muscles weaken and this can cause balance issues and it can make it difficult to do some simple tasks, such as the laundry if the washer and dryer is in the basement, or even cooking a meal.
When a person faces changes that they cannot control, and especially if those changes cause them to feel helpless at times, that can lead to both anger and depression.
A person may be angry not at an individual looking to help them, but at their own situation. The feeling of powerlessness can reach deep within a person’s psyche. For the elderly health care provider, it is important to recognize this and to be patient with the individual.
The patient may say or do things unexpectedly or they could say things that hurt the caregiver. Whether it is a paid professional or family member, words can still sting.
Depression can have the same roots. But a person who ends up dealing with depression will generally withdraw from activities and things that they used to enjoy. They may spend more time alone in their bedroom or they may avoid going out with others.
Mild anger issues and depression may be considered normal for the individual. However, if the depression is allowed to fester and dig deep, or the anger becomes volatile and puts others at risk, or even the elderly patient himself or herself, it needs to be addressed.
Certain medications may be causing these issues, or other medications may help to alleviate the symptoms. If you are providing elder care for a loved one and you are concerned about their anger or depression issues, contact their medical professional and discuss what can be done to help.
For more information about how the caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain living independently in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are an elder agency providing quality and affordable elder care service in Coronado 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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