Depression is a silent enemy that most people are not aware they’re having. The one great concern about this mental illness is that it doesn’t care about age. It can hit a teenager, a new parent, or a senior loved one. As a foe, depression has to be overcome so that the person can continue living the life they ought to live.

What if your senior loved already has depression? How do you begin living this stage with them? As a leading provider of Non-Medical Home Care in San Jose, California, here’s our set of recommendations on how you can valuably offer your time and presence to journey with an aging loved one with depression.

1. Spot the Symptoms
   The most immediate help you can assist your aging loved one with is to sense whether or not they have depression in the first place. After a major life change, such as the loss of their spouse, they can be very sad. This is normal. However, some manifestations of grief can show signs that depression has already set in. Consider the following:

   • Showing persistent sad or grieving appearance that extends to at least six months
   • Obvious reduction of weight and appetite
   • Expressing feelings of helplessness, loneliness, or hopelessness
   • Inability to achieve a straight sleep every night
   • No longer going out with their friends or doing their favorite hobby

2. Identify the Causes of Depression
   For your senior loved one, depression can be caused by commonly the following triggers:

   • Being diagnosed by a terminal condition or life-limiting illness
   • Being relocated to another place
   • Feeling isolated from their friends due to mobility problems
   • Feeling unproductive after they retired from work
   • Fearing the uncertain future, especially their passing
   • Grieving the loss of a spouse or close friend

3. Identify Medical Causes of Depression
   There are also medical issues that can cause depression in your senior loved one. These may include any of the following triggers:

   • Chronic illness
   • Medication side effect
   • Any form of dementia
4. Get Help
   Don’t hesitate to consult with professional mental health experts to make sense of your observations regarding your loved one’s feelings and emotions. It also helps if you request for someone to provide quality companionship with them. Professional providers of Home Care Services in California can be helpful companions to aging individuals. Seek an outlet to also share your concerns and other issues related to this matter. These could be professional counselors or trusted family and loved ones.

At Boundless Care, Inc., we always believe that the aging years can be lived fully and productively. With quality companionship and assistance, your aging loved one can cross over their depression successfully. Allow us to be their constant companion at home to be your extended hands and heart as to your loved one’s overall well-being. For your concerns on our other services including Non-Emergency Transportation, feel free to contact us.