Occasionally feeling depressed is a normal part of life, but if you feel this way for months or years, you may be depressed. Depression can happen to any of us at any given time and those that older adults experience must be dealt with accordingly as well. It can impact their lives, hobbies, and energy, as well as their work and personal relationships. Here are five of the most common signs of depression in older adults.
Weight Changes
Weight changes are highlighted among the most common symptoms of depression in older adults because this covers both weight gain and weight loss. Your loved ones might be eating too much just to get rid of the feeling of loneliness or despair. In another, they may not have the appetite to eat the food being served at your table because something is bugging them. If you or a loved one has spotted such weight changes, you must do something about the situation right away.
Unexplained Pain
Do you feel like your body is aching too much even if you have not lifted any heavy object or done any hardcore workout? Whether you or your loved ones are encountering such inexplicable feelings, you have to take that as a sign to seek help from experts. This can be a symptom of depression, that when left unattended, can cause more trouble than usual. Even aggravated aches must be paid attention to in older adults.
Loss of Interest in Others
This aspect covers the feeling of not wanting to socialize and talk to people, as well as wanting to get rid of things that you usually love doing. That sudden loss of interest can be alarming because it can affect one’s positive perception about life and relationships, in general. Wanting to get rid of people when they approach you will take a toll on your overall wellbeing later on. Not doing what you love the most will also have an effect on your health.
Sadness
Sadness is perhaps one of the most common signs of depression that you can easily spot on a loved one, or yourself, whatever the case may be. Many times, a sudden feeling of despair strikes you, even when you have positive people around you. Like pain, this emotion can be unexplainable, in most cases. Just the negative thought of losing someone, or something, will impact the way you live your life.
Sleep Disturbances
Many times, you may already have trouble sleeping at night. Some may also oversleep, with the tendency to feel sleepy even during the daytime. Any of these two situations can be taken as signs that one is being depressed.
Consider Staying in Assisted Living Communities
A new environment might just change the way you look at life these days. With assisted living communities like Discovery Village At West End, you will be able to enjoy life, as you live with other residents. We have community events to help cheer you on, or you can engage in the various activities that we have to keep our residents healthy.
