As an alternative to care homes, the families and support systems of many seniors are realizing the value in using a familiar environment to enable the care required for the senior. This way, the senior can remain in the home that they are familiar with, or under our care with friends or family members. Through these types of care plans, our caregivers provide care with diet, errands and daily grooming to offset the care that is required from family members.
In this type of situation, our caregiver can act as a companion to the senior, decreasing the chances that the senior will suffer from depression, with regular visits from the Hearts at Home caregiver. Traditional care homes can expedite the depression process. Are seniors placed in an unfamiliar environment that risks depression?
It is important to know the risk factors which are associated with depression. Risk factors include a decrease in the mobility of the client, as well as a decline in cognitive processes. Often, medical problems that have developed or the illness or death of a spouse can trigger depression. Knowing these risk factors can help to assess the risk of the client for the onset of depression. Caregivers working with Hearts at Home in Houston can help to identify the symptoms of depression in clients and can help to avoid the onset of the dreadful feelings.
Aside from being aware of the risk factors that are associated with depression in the elderly, it is important to be aware of the steps that can be taken with the client to reduce the chances of the onset of depression, these include:
Using Hearts at Home caregivers to ensure that personal grooming, food intake, medications and illnesses are under control. This can reduce the chances that depression will develop and lead to an illness becoming out of control.
Ensuring a proper diet is followed that includes a balanced intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This can reduce the chances of depression developing, or depression becoming out of control due to the increased amounts of sugar and processed foods within the diet.
Avoiding depression in seniors can be as simple as getting out into the community. Hearts at Home covers the Houston, Pearland, Spring, Katy, Friendswood, Clear Lake and Cypress areas. Our caregivers can help visit local community events which are offered in these areas and arrange a schedule that allows the senior to take part in these activities.
Helping the senior to maintain responsibilities within the community. This may include volunteer responsibilities once or twice per week that can motivate the senior to get out of the home and take part in something.