Life is filled with ups and downs that we try to push through. Depression is one of the “downs” in life that seems to hurt the hardest. Seniors and older adults can struggle with depression, but there are ways to help improve their mental health.
Spend Quality Time With Them
Depression can cause feelings of isolation; it can make you feel cut off from the world and alone. You can help someone struggling with depression by spending quality time with them so they feel less alone. Doing physical activities with them, cooking together, or even simply talking to an older adult with depression will help them feel like they don’t have to go through depression alone.
Take Walks Outside
Nature makes people feel calm and connected to the earth. Taking a stroll through the neighborhood or a nearby park is an excellent method for helping older adults deal with depression.
When people are depressed, they often lack the mental energy and motivation to get out of the house, so they stay inside and remain inactive. But physical activity will keep their energy flowing and prevent a potential health emergency. Seniors and older adults might worry about getting active on their own, so you may want to look into medical alert costs for when you can’t be there. Medical alerts can give seniors the confidence to do more physical activity.
Artistic Activities
Art is an excellent conduit for channeling emotions. Arts and crafts can help older adults deal with depression by keeping them focused on something besides the negative thoughts that accompany depression. Doing arts and crafts in a group will also provide a social outlet and foster creativity.
Painting is a great way to calm the nerves because it requires focus and precision. Patchwork and sewing are also beneficial activities that combine focus and repetition.
Spending Time Around Animals
Spending time with animals keeps us mentally healthy because animals are full of life. Seniors and older adults might enjoy feeding ducks at a pond, visiting the zoo, or watching dogs at a dog park.
Petting animals is also a therapeutic technique to help depression. The soothing feeling of a cat’s fur or a rabbit’s soft pelt can comfort older adults.
Depression is a threat to the livelihood of seniors and requires prompt attention. There are ways to counteract the effects of depression and give older adults a better outlook.
