Skip to main content

Signs to Know, Your Older Adults are Badly in Need of a Psychiatric Doctor

Your Older Adults are Badly in Need of a Psychiatric Doctor

Older adults contribute to the family and society in various ways. They continue to play many essential roles, even post-retirement. From the caretaker of grandchildren at home to volunteers of the community, they assume many significant roles. However, seldom we realise that their life is changing. They are experiencing many social, physical and financial changes. The death of a loved one, retirement, medical problems or stressful life events can make them uneasy. However, sometimes due to these changes or a multitude of conditions at the same time, they can develop depressive tendencies.

Depression is different, it starts to interfere with their daily routine and normal functioning. It is not a normal part of ageing. In some cases, the depressive tendencies can be major like unable to work, sleep and eat or minor depressive tendencies. Irrespective of a major or minor depression, it is essential to diagnose it early and help your elderly. Depression has many symptoms and if you notice any of the below signs, then talk to your older adults. If it is not helping, then consult a geriatric psychiatrist. The mental health of your older adults is vital, and you need to recognize if they are facing any concerns. Some of the signs you need to watch out for in your ageing adult include.

Memory Issues: These often get confused as a normal part of ageing, and the mental illnesses go unrecognised. Memory problems can be a warning sign of different kinds of mental diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. So, if you notice them misplacing their belongings, repeatedly asking the same set of questions or forgetting the dates, then it can be an alarming sign of memory loss.

Changes in Personal Routine: If your older adult has any mental health issues, they can stop adhering to their routine. You may notice they start giving everyday bathing and brushing a miss. Alternatively, they start dressing differently and don’t pay attention to their looks. These changes can be a matter of concern and will need your consideration.

Avoid Socialising: Your once upon a time, social adult stops interacting and participating in family gatherings, and discussions should raise an alarm. If you notice that they avoid any social engagement, then it can be a symptom of a mental health issue. These signs of aloofness and indifference should get your attention.

Changes in Mood: Has your loving elderly started to get anxious or confused? Do you notice sudden and frequent mood changes? If these mood changes keep happening for more than a couple of weeks, then there can be something serious that is altering their personality at this age.

Sleep Problems: Sleeping too much or too little or any such sleeping disorder can also be indicative of depressive tendencies. Your older adults need to sleep for 6-8 hours a day and should sleep through the night. If they are waking up frequently or feeling anxious at night, then it can be due to some neurological or mental health problem.

Changes in Weight & Appetite: Sudden weight gain and loss in the elderly can also be a matter of concern. It can be due to loss of appetite, some medical condition or an eating disorder. Such signs of rapid weight gain or loss will need further investigation.

If you notice any of the above symptoms and need to consult a psychiatrist, then consult a doctor at Samvedna Senior Care. You can book a consultation with the psychiatrist who specialises in mental health problems in old age. Such a specialist can diagnose the nature of mental illness and suggest the necessary pharmacological and therapeutic treatment. You can book a consultation online or call at the Samvedna Centre and help your older adult with happy and healthy golden years.



from Samvedna Senior Care https://ift.tt/37oX1YJ
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

For Family Caregivers, A New Year’s Resolution Can Inspire Your Best Year Yet

If you are among the 8% of Americans who actually accomplish their New Year’s resolution goals , well done! However, if you are like the majority of us, you’ve given up prior to even turning the calendar page to February. Although it is undoubtedly commendable to attempt to better ourselves by resolving to lose 10 pounds or with healthier living, for busy family caregivers, there are truly meaningful, achievable goals that will improve life all through the year. Consider these recommendations: Find joy. Looking after somebody else is a labor of love, but can also bring about challenges, which makes it hard to concentrate on the daily benefits that spark joy. Devote some time on a daily basis to pause and discover a reason to smile. Bring a sense of humor to your daily caregiving tasks, sharing laughter together with your loved one. Enjoy the feeling of the sunlight shining through the window as you’re folding laundry. And make time to call someone who lifts your spirits for a brief...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dads and Pops: Your Good Health Matters to Us 

Did you know  June is  Men’s Health Month  and Father’s Day anchors Men’s Health Week ?   Celebrate dad on Father’s Day and thank him for all he  has  done, but  also  make sure to seize an opportunity sometime this month to have a conversation with him about his health. This awareness campaign has the critical purpose of informing men   that avoiding preventive healthcare puts them at real and serious risk of  contracting a disease or  acquiring  a chronic condition.   Studies consistently  show the numbers go against men , particularly as they advance into their senior years.   Even with dramatic advances in diagnosis and treatment over the past 100 years, men’s life expectancy still lags significantly behind women. According to  Harvard Health ,  the gap is widening. In 1900, the life expectancy for women was 48.3 years vs. 46.3 for men. In 2017, it was 81.1 years for women vs. 76.1 for men. Harvard...
Post a Comment
Read more

How Does Caregiving Stress Affect Your Career?

Lots of caregivers believe that the stress they experience as a part of caregiving is something that they only experience in that situation. But stress doesn’t care where you are or what you’re doing. If you ignore it, you’ll find the effects of stress following you even to your career and that can be bad for multiple reasons. Stress Is Everywhere Stress is a normal part of life. It’s literally everywhere and it takes the form of both “good” stress and “bad” stress. So-called good stress makes you alert to dangers and can keep you from making mistakes that could prove harmful to you. Bad stress is stress that takes a toll on you mentally and physically. It’s a result of being hypervigilant for too long. Stress Doesn’t Stay in Categories Something else to understand about stress is that it doesn’t stay boxed up neatly. Your stress as a caregiver will flow into the rest of your life, including your career and your other relationships, unless you take steps to manage it appropriat...
Post a Comment
Read more