Recent Posts
As a senior you are aware that at times we are prone to suffer life-changing situations and grief in our lives. After all this is to be expected because as we age the probability that our life partner and close friends are going to pass away is a real definite and consequently our circle of friends is going to gradually diminish. This might be a reason for us experiencing episodes of depression. Due to age we become more vulnerable to such changes and sometimes we just don’t have the energy or the money or any other means to change situations that happen to negatively impact our lives.
Elderly depression becomes more apparent when there is separation or loss. Many folk experience feelings of helplessness – especially if aging leads to financial distress and isolation. Even a rather unremarkable occurrence such as an epsiode of bad weather may cause depression to raise its ugly head.
To understand depression more fully you need to be aware of various types of depression. Short-term depression occurs in most all of us at some time or other in our lives, but severe depression is more serious and may require some type of medical care or intervention. Severe depression is when the feelings become so agonizing that it extends to every area of life, and the person suffering may think that there’s no solution.
The depression may be so severe that reason or encouragement from others can’t penetrate the wall of sadness that forms a shell around the victim. There are a number of “depression guides” online and quizzes that you can take to test your level of depression, but that should also be possible by using a bit of introspection. When you examine your mind and soul, you should be able to discern whether or not you’re depressed.
You may be depressed if you feel sad and lonely and can’t seem to shake the feeling, or you might have trouble sleeping and become irritable. You may eat too much or lack any kind of appetite at all and you also may have problems in focusing on anything you’re doing or planning to do. Crying uncontrollably and often is also a symptom of depression.
Everyone may suffer from the above depression symptoms at some point, but when the feelings become deep and dark and the victim begins to lose self-confidence, energy, emotions run rampant, no sex drive and an intense mood changes that result in loss of interest in everything that he or she once cared for, the depression may be severe and counseling or medication may be in order.
Any type or symptom of depression that could last for years is called Dysthymic disorder and may cause physical health problems sooner or later if not treated. Reactive depression is a depressed state caused by stress or a situation in life. Bipolar disorder is a type of depression in which a person has severe mood swings from low to high -- and possible other symptoms.
Thinking about death and even attempted suicide is a major and concerning part of severe depression. See your health care provider if you experience these thoughts. Depression can be treated.
New beginnings are just what we all crave regardless of our stage in life. Just because you are a senior doesn't mean you can't plan ahead for the coming year. Each New Year reminds me of a brand new exercise book that has nothing entered in it. There are no marks, stains or tarnishes. Begin 2011 with a bright, fresh optimism that you can make this the best year yet.
Many of us are often caught up in the new year resolution syndrome. We make plans, promise to achieve certain goals and within days or weeks we forget all about our resolves and slip back into our usual routine without making any changes to enjoying a better life. Don't make this mistake in 2011.
Perhaps the following suggestions can be applied or adjusted to your situation to bring about positive change and make the coming year full of satisfaction and contentment.
Decide to put away a certain sum of money so you can treat yourself once a month. It is important that you are generous to yourself and don't just use your limited funds to pay bills and gift to your children and grandchildren.
Review your diet and ensure that you have a healthy eating plan in place.
Physical fitness is essential to maintain a long and enjoyable life.
Develop a realistic exercise regime. Visit your local doctor first to ensure that you aren't considering something that would end up being detrimental to your health.
Spend more quality time with those you love.
Update your Will to ensure that it is current and accurately reflects your end of life wishes.
Do what you want to do, not just what others think you should do and may the coming year be a special and richly rewarding experience for you.
Happy New Year.
After being in a relationship that may have spanned many decades, elderly folk often find it difficult to take steps to find a loving companion to fill the shoes left by their previous partner. For several reasons, many seniors will be single again and would love to have a caring companion, or partner, to help enjoy their twilight years.
Quite a few, both men and women, will be survivors of a long-time relationship with a spouse now deceased or a recent divorce. Some will be looking for love and others will just have a need for some companionship, someone to share their time with.
For people in marriages spanning 30 or 40 years and suddenly single, the thought of dating again might be a scary proposition.
If you feel awkward and tentative about making contacts that could lead to romance or companionship, remember that the other person might feel the same way, too.
Dating after decades of not being single can be stressful and fill you with self-doubt and apprehension. Temporarily unanswerable questions might surface and bounce around in your mind until you start thinking about not wanting to date again. That's a very common result of reduced confidence from lack of current experience. If you are experiencing these thoughts, the good news is that you will recover with some self-assessment and a few dating tips.
The biggest hurdle you might have to overcome is whether or not you are ready to date. It would be easy to try to fill that lonely spot in your heart with another that reminds you of old times. If that is what you are trying to do, you are probably not ready for new and exciting experiences with someone new.
Grieving is a personal experience and there is no template to follow. When you are ready to accept that your spouse is not returning and can put those memories away in a safe place in your heart and mind, it will be time to consider finding new companionship.
Take your time with this step in your healing process. Try and mix with other singles in your age group. Visit clubs and senior activity centres to make new friendships that might lead to a loving relationship. Socialize with your friends and be willing to meet up with them at nearby cafés and restaurants. If you are up to it and still reside at home, why not arrange a small intimate dinner party and invite couples and singles alike including those who you would like to strike up a deeper relationship with.
Find attractions in your area that would be interesting to your friends, like a local fair or book signing and make it a group event. If your town has a local baseball team, take a friend to a game and eat hot dogs and root for the home team. Have an occasional card party and play pinochle or poker with friends.
Spring home and garden shows are always a fun event. Invite some friends to join you and stop for coffee or ice cream on the way home to discuss all the new things you saw at the show.
When caring friends try to set you up with dates or tell you that "It's time you started dating again," thank them but do not get pushed into a series of blind dates or other "accidental meetings" to help you "get over it."
When you are ready to find your own companionship, you will. Take your time and let yourself heal some before you try to fill your life with another.
Its not too difficult to realise that we are no longer as young as we think we are when our knees ache, arthritis makes our hands stiff and sore and mornings are dreaded due to the association with painful joints. We are constantly bombarded with warnings and news alerts as to what we should be doing to guard against our failing health and optimising our quality of life as we age. It is little wonder that, at times, it becomes increasingly difficult to adopt a positive approach to the future as our bodies grow old.
We are only too aware that we cannot stop the ageing process, but we can certainly delay the debilitating process that so many just accept as part of their lives. You do have the choice of slowing down the ageing process and reversing some of the damage you've done to yourself over the years and restoring some fitness once again
[ Click here to read more ]
The buzz words for senior citizens today are “active aging.” Active aging means that we remain active and strong in our later years to prevent the loss of mobility. Loss of mobility in seniors can drastically change their lifestyles and some might never recover. But, a daily health plan that includes healthy diet and exercises designed to keep joints moving and the mind sharp can help us stay mobile far into our senior years. How’s that for an incentive?
As we age, we lose flexibility, muscle and bone – and our strength may falter. These losses may mean that we also lose mobility and independence and become fragile and at risk for falls and fractures – plus other diseases associated with aging. But, don’t be discouraged about those disheartening facts of getting older
[ Click here to read more ]
Normal ageing, healthy or not, brings some loss of mental speed. What happens as you age is that it takes longer for you to process information and it is becomes increasingly difficult to multi-task. You might not function as well under stress or pressure as you did when you were younger. Short-term memory might fade before you can process it satisfactorily enough to remember it. This is perfectly normal as you age and there is absolutely no reason to believe that you are suffering from onset dementia..
What you need to guard against is mental inactivity and lack of stimulation. This will effectively retard your thinking skills and your memory. It is no different to any other part of your body. For example, if you neglect your teeth eventually you are going to suffer from severe tooth decay which may result in you having to have your existing teeth removed and dentures fitted in their place. Physical inactivity will compromise your ability to walk not to mention the fact that you will undoubtedly put on weight if you sit around all day and don't exercise at all. The old adage rings true here loud and clear, "Use it or lose it
[ Click here to read more ]
It is a well known fact that laughter is the best medicine. It makes you feel less stressful, depressed and anxious which in turn can work towards your longevity. In addition research has proven that laughing can play a major part in warding off illnesses.
If you can share a joke or humourous moment with your fellow residents this will work wonders in establishing quality friendships. Just be careful that you laugh with someone rather than laugh at someone. When you are making fun of someone, it is only funny to one of you. On the other hand, if you are laughing together, you are on the same side. Laughing together is powerful when life throws you stuff that's not so funny
[ Click here to read more ]
Regrettably elder abuse can be quite prevalent within residential aged care facilities. It is frequently the silent menace that often goes unreported or simply ignored by those with the authority to do something about it.
Elder abuse can take various forms which makes it extremely difficult to pinpoint in many circumstances. When we think of abuse we automatically think of physical assaults of some description like hitting, punching, beating, biting to name just a few. Even though physical abuse is a problem it is much more difficult to conceal than say emotional or mental abuse which can be even more heinous and terrifying than that of physical attacks. If a resident is kicked or bashed the bruising, swelling and even broken bones cannot be hidden and even if the perpetrator has a convincing reason why the resident has been hurt, or better still why he or she is not responsible for the injuries, suspicious is immediately aroused and the person or persons involved are more likely to be carefully watched in case similar “accidents” occur in the future
[ Click here to read more ]
Now that you have finally decided which residential aged care facility ticks all the boxes as far as you are concerned, you have completed all the obligatory paper work and ensured that you have had your finances scrutinized by the Tax Office in the form of an asset assessment, you are ready to take the big step.
This transition from private residential living whether it be from your own family home, a rented unit or apartment or even if you have been living with family or close friends for sometime, is going to take some getting used to
[ Click here to read more ]
September 13th 2009 02:01
Sometimes after visiting various residential aged facilities it can become quite a task to make a final decision as to which home you or your family member really prefers. Also, if you are looking to enter an aged care residential facility as a low care resident and you have not been assessed as a supported resident, you will be faced with the obligation of having to pay an accommodation bond of many thousands of dollars. If you are looking to enter a low care, or extra sertvices high care home, sometimes this will mean having to sell the family home in order to have the funds available to pay the required bond. You need to obtain financial advice to determine the best available option for you.
If you or your family member are faced with indecision or needing to wait for appropriate financial arrangements to be put in place, why not take advantage of the respite care option. This allows you or your family member to reside in a residential aged care facility for a period of 63 days in any given financial year. Towards the end of that time you or your family member must then decide whether they wish to remain as a permanent resident or whether they wish to move out to an alternative type of care
[ Click here to read more ]
|
|
|
Add Comments
Read More
Comments (3)
Comment by Olwyn Kinder
on Household Chores – How they can keep you fit, active and feeling good
Aged Care Matters