As your senior ages, it’s normal to be more concerned with their overall well-being. For example, if you’ve started to notice that your parent is frequently upset or frustrated, you will want to take steps to help improve their mood. Not all seniors will be receptive to help from their adult child when they are already feeling down. This is where a third-party, like senior home care, can be incredibly beneficial in bridging the gap.
If you notice your elderly loved one becoming unhappy, it’s important you find out what’s wrong and help them get back on track. It may be a sad time for them, they may have lost someone dear to them, or it could be a side effect of medications. Whatever has them feeling down, you need to start communicating with your loved ones and taking proactive steps to help them. Here are some things to consider.
Try to Understand Why They’re Unhappy
The first thing you really need to figure out is why a person is unhappy. This can be harder said than done, and some seniors are very good at masking their true feelings. They may be unhappy for a variety of reasons.
They may be sad because they are not physically active, have unhealthy lifestyle habits, have financial problems, or feel like they no longer belong in this world. Finding out the problem through communication is the best first step. When you get an idea of why a person is feeling unhappy, you can create a plan on how to fix it and address it.
Understanding If It Is More Than Being Unhappy
You need to consider if the feelings are more than just being unhappy. Seniors can get depressed, and it often goes unnoticed because many of the symptoms can also be signs of other problems associated with the elderly.
If you suspect your senior mom or dad is depressed, you should encourage them to talk to their doctors and trusted senior home care providers. If they are suffering from depression and emotional distress, your senior may also benefit from going to therapy. Depression can be situational or clinical, and it is important to know which they suffer from.
How to Help Your Senior
Unhappiness is not always an easy fix, and it can be confusing to find a starting place. By talking to them, you can figure out what they would like to do and how best to help. Some seniors may need a walking buddy, and you can provide that comfort. Other seniors may need to be encouraged to do more activities outside of the house and need help with rides from senior home care. Sit down with your senior and start creating a routine they can follow with or without you to promote happiness.
Where Does Senior Home Care Come In
If your elderly loved one is planning on aging in place, you will need to hire someone like senior home care to help them when you are unavailable. Having a professional like senior home care coming into a senior’s house will be invaluable as the senior ages.
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Englewood, CO, call the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Denver today. 303-756-9322
