The National Academy of Medicine reports that mental health issues affect 20% of the elderly population. Home Care Lakewood shares some useful info below;

The Roots of Mental Illness

It usually isn't a single factor that leads to mental illness.

• Daily stress
• Genetics
• Substance abuse
• Physical and emotional trauma

Mental health researchers have found evidence that malfunctioning brain circuits contribute to an unhealthy mind.

Anxiety And Depression

Anxiety and depression are emotional health issues most likely to occur in seniors.

Anxiety

Generalized anxiety and social anxiety are the most common types of anxiety disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

The emotional symptoms of GAD include always being uptight, excessive worry, restlessness, and agitation. Muscle tension, lack of stamina, and loss of sleep are the physical indicators of generalized anxiety. Difficulty staying focused and memory issues may be attributable to GAD.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Nervousness in the presence of others so intense it causes nausea, flushing of the face, excessive perspiration, and tingling are indicative of a social anxiety disorder. People with SAD eschew social interaction for fear of being humiliated, judged, or not being accepted. The above symptoms make it difficult for those with social anxiety to form personal relationships.

Treatment

A diagnosis of a social anxiety disorder requires a primary care physician ruling out a medical condition or drug side-effect as the source of symptoms. Upon diagnosing social anxiety, a mental health professional could prescribe therapy and or medication. Self-help techniques like regular exercise, yoga, meditation, and breath control provide additional treatment options.

Depression

In the elderly, the symptoms of depression are sometimes mistaken for the changes that come with age. Seniors and younger people are affected by depression in profoundly different ways. Melancholia impedes an older person's (65+) ability to recover from illness or injury. Depression increases the risk of death from medical conditions like cancer and heart disease.

Depression Risk Factors

The incidence of depression is higher in women. Chronic medical conditions and infirmity increase the chances of developing melancholia. Isolation, grief, and fear of dying are risk factors for depression.

Seniors under someone else's care, whether at home or in a long-term care facility, are more likely to become depressed. People who can't manage stress, substance abusers, and those living with chronic pain are at high risk of becoming melancholic. The chances of depression accompanying Alzheimer’s are as high as 40%.

Symptoms

Depression is treatable if the symptoms are recognized early enough. 

• Excessive eating or an inability to eat
• Sleeping too much or insomnia
• Lack of self-esteem, a general loss of interest, and self-alienation

The most severe depression symptom is suicidal ideation.

Treatment

Successful treatment of depression goes beyond meds and psychotherapy. Managing melancholia requires changing your life. Someone trying to overcome depression needs more socialization, to find a pastime and an exercise program.

We Prescribe Laughter For Managing Caregiver Stress

 

  With the stress that a caregiver is under, occasions to laugh can be few and far between. Yet, laughter is necessary to ease caregiver stress. Chuckling, giggling, or guffawing fosters physical and emotional wellbeing. Home Care Lakewood has some useful tips for you;

Recognizing Caregiver Stress

Anxiety, chronic fatigue, and negative changes in sleep patterns result from caregiver stress. The demands of providing care sometimes lead to self-medicating with drugs and alcohol.

• Aches and pains that have no physical cause
• Becoming aggravated easily
• Unintentional weight loss or gain
• Loss of interest in favored activities

The stresses of caregiving can manifest as unrelenting sadness.

Laughing is Good Exercise

The study of laughter is called Gelotology. Both exercise and laughter help to manage caregiver stress. Laughing and working out offer the same physical benefits. Scientific research suggests that 100 good laughs have the equivalent effect as 15 minutes on a stationary bike.

The Physical Benefits of Laughter

Like aerobic exercise, laughing causes the blood vessels to expand, improving circulation. Yucking-it-up slows the heart rate, which in turn lowers blood pressure. The body relies on T-Cells to guard against viral infections and tumors. Laughter promotes the growth of T-Cells and other anti-bodies. Reacting to humor releases endorphins that are the body's natural pain killer.

The Emotional Benefits of Laughter

In addition to decreasing physical pain, the endorphins released by a hearty guffaw elevate the mood. Laughter dispels anger. When we find humor in a situation, reduced cortisol production brings down stress levels. Laughter improves your emotional outlook and gives your energy levels a boost.

Surround Yourself with Humor

For regular exposure to them, display posters, cartoons, and photos that you find amusing. Find DVDs of movies, TV programs, or stand-up routines that always break you up. Arrange to spend time with a friend or friends who always leave you laughing. Try to find the humor in a situation. Read a joke book or visit a website devoted to the comedic.

Self-Induced Laughter

Whether it is genuine or feigned, the benefits of a good laugh are the same. Imagine yourself conducting a band or orchestra. Mimic the sound of laughter, i.e., "ha, ha, ha" while your arms guide the pretend musicians.

Apply pressure to your forehead, pretending it causes you to laugh, and then mimic the sounds of laughter. Raise your arms to shoulder level, look up and give out a belly laugh. Using a mirror, mimic the body language and facial expressions that accompany the question, "What's so funny?" Put on a fake smile and start giggling, building-up to a laugh that becomes increasingly rapid.

Practice Laughter Yoga

The above exercises and others are a part of Laughter Yoga. Laughter clubs are an offshoot of Laughter Yoga. If you feel the strain of being a caregiver joining a laughter club in your area could prove beneficial. Lakewood Home Care emphasizes the importance of Laughter Yoga for a better stress management.

Winter Care For The Elderly

Winter weather has always been a potentially dangerous time of the year for senior citizens. Their bodies have become weaker than in earlier years, and their immune systems do not fight off infections and other damaging disorders. It is vital for older adults to take extra precautions during the winter season. Older adults are very vulnerable to colds, flu, and hypothermia. Generally, cold weather and senior citizens are a dangerous combination. It is imperative for the older adult to have extreme care in order to survive the all of the elements that winter can bring. Home Care Lakewood is here to help you;

Things to Know

Winter care for the elderly should definitely include keeping warm to prevent hypothermia. Older adults have less efficient circulation, less body fat, and a slower metabolism. This makes them very susceptible to cold related disorders. The temperature inside the home should never be set below 65 degrees. If your senior loved one is aging in place, make sure to check that they always have enough money to pay their heating bill. Winter care for the elderly should also consist of staying hydrated. It is normal for older adults to eat and drink less as they age, so you must ensure that they drink liquids to avoid dehydration.

How to Prepare

You should prepare for the winter elements by being sure that provisions are made to have ice and snow shoveled from the walkway and sidewalk outside. The steps should also be cleared of any bad weather precipitation to prevent any falling hazards. If affordable, have the outside walk area salted to help the older adult move around without fear of falling. There are organizations in some areas that will provide these services for the elderly. You should also have a disaster kit in place for your senior loved one in the event that the power goes off during a fierce winter storm. The kit should include water for several days, non perishable food items, can opener, flashlight, extra batteries, a non electric radio, necessary medications, and a first aid kit and warm clothing and blankets.

It is vital during the winter season to dress your senior loved one appropriately and warm. Many older adults use blankets to cover themselves during the day because they are normally colder than anyone else. Have warm cozy socks for them while sitting watching television. Electric blankets are great for bedtime, but use them with all precautions. Do not use if there is a bed wetting issue.

Final Words

Lakewood Home Care understands that many older adults require extra warmth, so electric space heaters are often used. These heaters must be used with extreme caution. Never place them too close to the older adult, and check that the area for the heater is not around any flammable items. Do not place it close to the walls or furniture. If it is needed in the bedroom, make sure that it is not touching anything, or be in contact with any clothing. Caring for your senior loved one during winter weather means being more observant of them to ensure that they are safe.

What Seniors Can Do about Bullying?

Bullies are not always a teenager who abuses or hurts others in high school. There are more cases of bullying recorded among seniors which should be dealt with. Verbal abuse and physical aggression are a form of bullying which family caregivers should learn more about.


                    

The Rise of Senior Bullies

According to the American Psychological Association, a person is considered a bully if he or she is aggressive intentionally and causes intense harm or physical discomfort to another person. When it comes to bullying, seniors might get violent and take stern actions against anyone. In several senior communities, bullies can verbally abuse people or throw things when they are out of control. Some seniors might find it difficult to move into a nursing home and can feel powerless and dependent. In this way, seniors might end up bullying other residents so that they can feel independent and dominant.

When it comes to professional Lakewood Home Care families should hire a reliable care provider to make sure their senior loved one is in safe hands.

Senior bullying might vary in terms of gender. Senior women can be more likely to develop the group of mean girls and sideline others who are newly admitted into the nursing home. Seniors women can bully others by not allowing the new residents to interact with them during mealtime or spreading false rumors. Older men can threaten other residents such as yelling which is aggressive behavior and comes under the definition of bullying. Senior bullies wanted to own and control their place, the reason they yell and fight with other residents in a care center.

The Impact of Senior Bullying

Some seniors may start bullying because they feel left out or socially isolated and also affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. Social isolation can be ravaging for seniors, especially those who live alone or have lost a partner. Seniors who don’t attend family gatherings, social community events, or interact with others become severely depressed. Depression may enhance the risk of cognitive decline in seniors. Many older adults have behavioral changes and develop bad habits such as substance abuse, smoking, or eat in an unhealthy way. 

A recent survey shows up to 20 % of seniors experience bullying in the golden years if they are living in a nursing home. Bullying can greatly impact a senior’s self-esteem and make them depressed or anxious in certain situations. Seniors who are being bullied can be prone to many psychological and physical issues.

Battling Bullying among Seniors

Interventions can help many seniors who were a victim of bullying or verbal abuse. There are many effective workshops that can enable seniors to stand up again bullying or learn what to do under such circumstances. Seniors who are diagnosed with dementia or have an age-related disease may not be able to tackle the negative effects of bullying. Family caregivers should acknowledge it and help if their senior loved one is a victim of bullying. It is crucial to tackle the problem of bullying and educate seniors on how to complain about it. If seniors are bullying others, it is important they seek professional counseling to determine the cause of it.

In Lakewood, stroke care experts can help seniors tackle bullying and simultaneously promote their physical health and wellbeing in the golden years.

9 Life Hacks for Seniors Who Need to Sleep Peacefully

Most of the people face problems in sleeping restfully. Insomnia is quite common in some people due to their irregular sleeping patterns, unhealthy eating habits, and stress levels. Seniors may face difficulty in sleeping for a longer time and also wants to reduce the number of times they wake up from deep sleep. Less sleep may make a senior`s day groggy and less energetic. Home Care Lakewood a list of some of the sleeping hacks seniors can adopt which may help them getting a comforting sleep at night.

4 Reasons the Elderly Should Walk Regularly

Walking is a form of exercise people of all ages can enjoy, and seniors can especially benefit from making this activity a regular part of their routine. While everyone likely knows walking is important for weight management and heart health, there are some lesser-known reasons why your senior loved one should make daily walks a priority. The staff at Lakewood Home Care, a leading provider so families can trust us, wants to share 4 of those reasons with you and your loved one.