Geriatric Depression?
Geriatric depression is a constant mental health condition that affects older persons and can interfere with normal functioning. In 2022, the geriatric population in India was 6.9%. Depression is a common geriatric problem that involves a persistent loss of interest and feelings of sadness.
This sort of depression does not probably match the entire requirements for severe depression. But, if left untreated, it can develop into serious depression.
Depression in the elderly is sometimes misunderstood as the result of several disorders and the medications used to treat them.
The Severity of geriatric depression
Depression in older persons is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and mortality from illness. Depression has been linked with an increased risk of death after a heart attack and it affects an elderly person's capacity to recover. It can also worsen the problem they are facing.
Stroke, hypertension, Atrial fibrillation, diabetes, cancer, dementia, and chronic pain might increase the risk of depression.
Treatments
Depression can be treated even though it's severe, with some treatments. A doctor's recommendation may be influenced by the type and severity of depressive symptoms, previous therapies, and general health, among other things.
● Counseling - Counseling or psychotherapy assists the aged in managing their emotions, discovering new sources of enjoyment and purpose, and discovering new support systems. It significantly improves the treatment of negative emotional states.
●Medications - Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, bupropion, and mirtazapine were used to treat depression. Antidepressants may take longer in older persons to work than in younger people. Because elderly people are more sensitive to medications, doctors may start with lower doses.
●Electroconvulsive - Electroconvulsive treatment is typically held for the most severe kinds of depression. It works by providing moderate electric shocks to the brain to alter the way chemicals in the brain function. It may produce confusion and memory loss as side effects.
Prevention
● Stay Active - Exercising is not only good for body health it can also help with depression, anxiety, and stress. Physical exercise helps you keep your flexibility, improve your energy, protect your heart, and manage symptoms of disease or discomfort, as well as your weight. It also promotes neuronal development, decreases inflammation, and alters activity patterns that promote emotions of calmness and well-being.
● Socialize - When you have someone to count on for emotional support and stimulating activities, you are less likely to suffer from sadness and anxiety.Invite friends on a regular basis. Being socially active as you age is vital for keeping your brain busy and engaged in activities while decreasing your chances of cognitive deterioration. It not only allows you to engage with others, but it may also enhance your immune system, relieve physical discomfort, and drop your blood pressure.
● Resting - Older adults require approximately the same amount of sleep as all adults. but they tend to sleep earlier and get up earlier than younger people. Preparing the mind and body for a good night's sleep may help prevent depression
How healthcare helps
Geriatric counselors extensively assess their results and recommend the best therapeutic programs or techniques. They assist patients in learning how to cope with stress and control their depressive symptoms.
Geriatric Home Healthcare provides psychologists who are highly trained mental health professionals and assisted individuals in recovering from depression. They take comprehensive steps to analyze each senior's issues.
Elders are frequently under significant psychological stress, and the relationship may be hampered by dependence and disagreements. Home healthcare can serve as a facilitator by recommending people to support systems, teaching people about depression, regulating solution-focused dialogue, and encouraging problem-solving behavior.
Maintaining professional distance might be more difficult, so home healthcare provides geriatric counseling at home.
How Athulya Home Healthcare Helps
Athulya Home Healthcare is the best geriatric home care in Chennai, helping the elderly rediscover their flow of life by removing the stigma associated with geriatric counseling. Athulya delivers the benefits of these therapy sessions to your house as a crucial aspect of a senior's well-being.
Home Nursing Services provides Geriatric therapy sessions that assist elders to recognise their limitations and developing new solutions which will improve their quality of life, from controlling early signs of aging to coping with memory loss.
Athulya’s counselors perform result-bound and proof sessions that are conducive to a better life while respecting your loved one’s privacy and personal dignity. They provide the best home healthcare services in Chennai
Comments
Post a Comment