Changes in
behavior can be a
warning sign of
depression.
If you are a caregiver in a senior care environment you may not always be able to detect depression in your loved one. You may, however, notice changes in their behavior over a period of time such as mood swings, anxiety, irritability, loss of sense of humor, suspiciousness and jealousy, among others.
If you’re concerned that he/she may be depressed, hold a conversation with your loved one and ask these questions. If their answer is different than the YES or NO shown for each questions, count 1 point:
- Are you satisfied with your life? (YES)
- Are you still (insert activity here i.e. playing cards, going shopping, gardening, etc.)? (YES)
- Do you often get bored? (NO)
- Are you in good spirits most of the time? (YES)
- Do you feel happy most of the time? (YES)
- Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen? (NO)
- Have you done anything new lately? (YES)
- Do you feel like you’re having memory problems? (NO)
- Do you feel energetic most days? (YES)
- Do you have trouble concentrating? (NO)
- Are you feeling good about being alive? (YES)
- Are you feeling worthless and unproductive? (NO)
- Do you think that most persons are better off than you? (NO)
- Does your life feel empty? (NO)
- Do you often feel helpless? (NO)
Five or more points indicates the possibility of depression. Dealing with depression takes a lot of care, senior citizens might also be suffering from other complications such as Alzheimer’s or dementia so you should consult his/her physician for recommendations.
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