![\"Round](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Round-Arrow-1.png\" "\\"Round"){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Senior depression and the forgotten<\/strong><\/p>\n When I was in high school, I volunteered as a Candy Striper at the local hospital. And if you\u2019ve never heard of a Candy Striper, they are hospital volunteers who work directly under the nurses. We helped restock any of the carts with linens and other supplies. Often, we helped with the meal distribution or took patients to their appointments on another floor. We made sure patients had everything they needed, including blankets, water and ice chips. And we sat and talked with patients to give them comfort and company.<\/p>\n Over the years, I spent some time in each part of the hospital, including extended care, as well as the separate care home in town. I was just a teenager then and age and mortality did not really factor into my world too much. But what struck me even back then was the number of elderly patients I worked with who received medical care and were alone.<\/p>\n Sure, most patients had family come visit once a week or once a month. And you could usually tell that the grand-kids were very uncomfortable. But on a daily basis, they lived with other elderly patients and the facility\u2019s care staff. As they became less mobile, they stayed mostly inside the care home, basically just waiting to die. The harsh reality of that scared me to the core and I often thought about that as I moved away and went to university.<\/p>\n Now that my grandma needs living assistance and my own parents are aging, I often think back to my time at the hospital. And I wonder if there isn\u2019t a better way. Under the circumstances, it is not surprising that senior depression is very common. But there is also the example of my great-aunt, which fills me with some hope.<\/p>\n She lived in an assisted care facility in Florida until her death and she had the time of her life.<\/p>\n Whenever the care facility held events, she went on regular outings and took part in fun nights. She enjoyed her life to the fullest and made every moment as fun as she could. The reality is that quality care homes can be extremely expensive and most people with a regular pension simply cannot afford them. And having a family member who needs medical care and daily assistance live with you can be more than a working family with kids can manage.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 – George Bernard Shaw<\/p>\n With age, many complex factors come together to create a very hard situation to navigate for many families. Yet why is depression in older adults sometimes treated as an inevitability? Depression is certainly not a normal part of aging, although many parts of our society seem to treat it that way. So what does science say can be done to change the situation to a more positive experience?<\/p>\n Depression in older adults, or in the elderly is such a common situation these days, that society almost views it like an inevitability. Socially, we definitely value youth over old age. This value system shows strongly in how we treat older adults in our society. Many factors come together to create this higher likelihood of depression for older adults. Let\u2019s have a look at some of the main factors that contribute to it.<\/p>\n Possibly the main factor that adds to depression in older adults is their health and mobility. As we age, it is inevitable that we will see and feel the wear of aging on our bodies. It becomes harder to lose excess weight or build muscle. Joints can become stiff and even painful and wounds or injuries don\u2019t heal as quickly.<\/p>\n Many older adults are suffering from chronic conditions or illnesses that only seem to get worse with age. What might have been a nagging ache can develop into debilitating pain over the years. Another factor could be a loss of hearing or sight that makes certain activities a lot harder, if not impossible.<\/p>\n As the conditions add up, and the energy levels come down, more older adults back away from exercise and activity altogether in order to avoid the risks and pains associated with it. Mobility can become more difficult. And that starts to quickly restrict the freedom of being able to go where you want, when you want. Ironically, a continued level of physical activity is sometimes the only thing that can hold chronic conditions at bay.<\/p>\n Not many of us live with our grandparents in the same house anymore. Partly this is due to the way our family units have evolved over the last decades. Seniors are more commonly living in senior communities or care homes rather than in the homes of their children. Although some seniors\u2019 facilities are getting more luxurious, most older adults cannot afford to live in these types of communities.<\/p>\n Many older adults face financial hardship after retirement and are forced to live in conditions that are not supportive, inspiring, or healthy. Isolation can be a really hard thing to deal with, especially if the family is not able to visit a lot. This isolation can be even worse if a partner or good friend has passed away.<\/p>\n Mourning can sometimes transition into depression as the grief builds up. The current health crisis has also made it harder to stay connected and engaged with the seniors in our lives. Because of the risk of infection, many care homes have not allowed in-person visits for a long time. This can be devastating for an elderly person already feeling isolated or alone.<\/p>\n As technology continues to develop at break-neck speeds and take over more and more facets of our lives, there is definitely one generation more likely to be left behind. Technology like smartphones, wearables, and laptops is so intertwined with our daily lives today. And we often forget it didn’t even exist when the older generation grew up. It’s understandable that they don\u2019t have the same positive approach to it as the younger generations may have. It’s simply a question of just not being used to it.<\/p>\n Many seniors struggle with the interfaces that seem intuitive to younger folks. And many more don\u2019t find the technology necessary or worthwhile to learn. Some seniors have refused to adapt to any of the newer technologies. As a result, they have fallen behind too far to jump into certain apps or programs that may govern their grandchildrens\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n Increasingly, we are also looking to technology to keep us comfortable and safe. Technology is often the first idea someone may offer their older parent to solve a problem. Simply put, the technology gap can have a detrimental effect on communication and relatability between generations. This is unfortunate because it means that it is even harder to share experiences and feelings we may have in common.<\/p>\n As a large part of our population transitions into old age, more and more research has been done on the adult brain and how aging affects it. As we begin to understand senior depression better, we are also starting to find some clues as to what may help keep it at bay. Let\u2019s have a look at some of the recommendations.<\/p>\n Many older adults feel the pressure to make way for the younger generation in their job. While many are looking forward to retirement, some really love being at the top of their game and sharing their wisdom at their job. While retirement may be inevitable, it shouldn\u2019t be rushed if the work is enjoyable and stimulating.<\/p>\n Research shows that having a purpose and contributing to society are vital factors in fighting off senior depression. After retirement it becomes even more important to find new ways to participate in and contribute to the community. Volunteering can be a great way to continue to live for a purpose and it can be great in expanding your social circle too.<\/p>\n Sudoku and other brain puzzles have been sold in a multi-million dollar industry to \u201ckeep your brain young\u201d. Unfortunately, some research shows that brain puzzles are not all they\u2019re hyped up to be. Learning a new skill (be it crosswords or Sudoku) can definitely help keep your memory trained. But, continuing to do crosswords all day won\u2019t specifically help you fight off Alzheimer\u2019s or senior depression.<\/p>\n The key in the equation is learning new skills, whether that be embroidery or welding. It\u2019s the continuing challenge of learning something new that has a positive effect against depression and disease. This happens because neuroplasticity is still a factor even when you are older. Plainly said, learning new skills forces your brain to make new brain connections, which in turn helps your mind stay \u201cyounger\u201d.<\/p>\n So maybe that\u2019s how my great-aunt managed to stay happy in old age? She did learn to water-ski in her nineties!<\/p>\n Similarly to learning new skills, fighting all aspects of complacency in life could be a vital key to fighting senior depression. It seems that approaching something that scares you could be of particular value to the brain and to your mental health. This means challenging old, worn-in pathways that you\u2019ve always had.<\/p>\n Maybe you\u2019ve always been scared of water. So a brave and worthwhile thing to do in your old age is to challenge that notion and take swimming lessons in order to build confidence in the water. Becoming complacent with all of our routines and fears starts to restrict our daily lives more and more.<\/p>\n So, challenging these complacencies is a great way to break free of restrictions. Maybe address your fear of heights by getting your pilot\u2019s license. Or take that trip to the Grand Canyon you always wanted to take. It\u2019s all about continuing to grow and learn. Being conscious of how to do this safely as you age is, of course, an important part of that.<\/p>\n While exercise in general is one of the most important ways to keep your body active, according to your brain, not all exercise is the same. Walking has often been recommended to keep the body moving and improve mood. But research shows that walking around outside can be more beneficial than walking on a treadmill.<\/p>\n Apparently we get the most mental benefit from walking in nature because our brains have to engage the hippocampus in order to do it. This part of the brain is responsible for our spatial awareness and navigational memory, so it helps us find our way around.<\/p>\n When we are walking in new, wild trails, this part of the brain is active. On the other hand, a walk on the treadmill doesn\u2019t require its input much. Either way, you will get the benefit of exercise. But walking and navigating outside will give you some added mental training which can have a positive effect on your mental health.<\/p>\n While there are lots of factors that lead to senior depression, there are also many things that can be done to keep seniors active, engaged and happy. It seems that the brain holds many of the keys to this vitality in older age. The more we learn about brain health and mental health, the more we are able to take preventative steps to keep healthy and happy well into older age.<\/p>\n Sitting in a care facility alone and depressed does not have to be the inevitable final result. Keeping active, not only physically, but mentally can go a long way in holding off senior depression. I have also seen many elderly people start living communities together. This means they get to live in the comfort of their home, while sharing their lives with other elderly adults. This prevents loneliness and encourages community and learning new skills.<\/p>\n I truly believe that as we age, we need to re-think what aging means and how we facilitate living and thriving in older age.<\/p>\n We also need to rethink how seniors contribute to society and ensure that everyone is able to follow their purpose. This will also help with reducing senior depression and build community between different generations. Especially after giving so much to raise the next generation and working all their lives, seniors are an integral part of our communities. And to keep senior depression at bay, we need to work together to support our older members of society.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s make sure we honor the lives of our elderly by making aging something to be proud of, not something to be scared of!<\/p>\n Sources<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/radio\/thecurrent\/the-current-for-jan-13-2020-1.5424683\/a-neuroscientist-s-tips-for-helping-the-brain-age-well-1.5425549<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/depression\/elderly#causes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/depression\/guide\/depression-elderly#1<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/depression-and-older-adults<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n www.thejorni.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u200bExperiencing senior depression and aging Senior depression and the forgotten When I was in high school, I volunteered as a Candy Striper at the local hospital. And if you\u2019ve never heard of a Candy Striper, they are hospital volunteers who work directly under the nurses. We helped restock any of the carts with linens and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2051,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":" Rescue yourself when you need it <\/strong><\/p><\/div> When we are having a particularly difficult day in our mental space, it can be really hard to remember to self care. If you\u2019re struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression, you might have days where your emotions just take over. Even your best plans to stay on track may go by the wayside. It\u2019s on the days where you most need to practice self-care. But it\u2019s also hardest on those days to remember how to help yourself.<\/p><\/div> That\u2019s why our team here at the J\u014drni put their heads together to come up with something to help. We created an easy mnemonic to help you remember your self-care during difficult days. A mnemonic is a word, phrase, or sentence that is used to remember a number of separate objects, elements, or ideas. It can be used to easily remember something we might otherwise forget.<\/p><\/div> So, all you have to remember is this one word - RESCUE<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div> \u201cWhen you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.\u201d We have all been through those days where we can barely remember to get up and function. So, we put this together to remind ourselves of the basic self-care that is so important when we\u2019re struggling with a difficult day. Especially since the health crisis started, it\u2019s been more difficult to focus away from the negativity and back on ourselves.<\/p><\/div> Here is a breakdown of what this mnemonic stands for.<\/p><\/div> R <\/span><\/strong>elax and unwind<\/p><\/div> E<\/span><\/strong> at healthy & hydrate<\/p><\/div> S<\/span><\/strong> leep<\/p><\/div> C<\/span><\/strong> onnect with loved ones<\/p><\/div> U<\/span><\/strong> nplug<\/p><\/div> E<\/span><\/strong> xercise<\/p><\/div> A hallmark of self care, relaxation can come in a lot of different forms. Maybe you want to kick back and listen to some of your favorite music with a cup of tea. Or you just want to curl up with your favorite book or have a bath. Maybe you want to go for a swim or sit in a silent meditation. Or maybe you want to do some deep breathing or yoga. And maybe you want to do some coloring or sewing or woodwork.<\/p><\/div> The point is, find whatever activity takes you out of your worries and helps you relax and unwind. Deliberately take the time to focus on your needs. Focus on creativity. Focus on feeling comfortable and safe. This will help you ground your emotions and dial back the body\u2019s stress response.<\/p><\/div> It seems like such a simple thing to do. But I know from my own experience that when I\u2019m having a hard day, this is the last priority on my list. The nutrition we get from our food directly influences our mood. That's why it's vital to eat healthy when we need the support the most. I know that it can be extremely hard to find the energy to cook when all we want to do is lay on the couch and eat Cheetos. But I cannot stress enough how important it is to make or find some healthy food.<\/p><\/div> On your tough days, try to eat less refined carbs and sugars and do your best to drink a lot of water. From there, fresh vegetables will help support your recovery the most. Junk food is a quick fix that will leave you worse off than you already were. Your body and mind will have a harder time recovering when they are fighting chemicals and toxins that throw them off balance.<\/p><\/div> I know it seems counter-intuitive from that box of chocolates you\u2019re eyeing because we often associate sugar with comfort. But the truth is that healthy foods, not sugar, will make it easier for our bodies and minds to find balance. If you cannot find the energy to cook, try asking a friend for help or find a healthy take-out option.<\/p><\/div> Especially during our worst days, sleep can be difficult to get right. Some of us have a tendency to sleep all day when we are unwell. Or we might lay awake all night, anxious that we are not getting enough sleep. Regardless of which sleep problems you are having, focusing on sleep quality is vital during difficult days.<\/p><\/div> Your body and mind use sleep to reset and balance, so getting enough rest is vital to re-balancing. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol will also improve your sleep quality. Another thing you can try is setting a healthy sleep routine. Try going to bed the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning. Remove electronics from your bedroom to eliminate ambient light and distractions. Also consider not looking at any electronic screens within an hour of your bedtime (yes, this means TV\u2019s computers and phones)... I know that\u2019s a hard one, but it works :)<\/p><\/div> Sometimes when we are overwhelmed by our emotions, we retreat into ourselves and shy away from others. I know when I was having my worst days, I always isolated even further. It felt like it was too hard to talk to anyone because I couldn\u2019t explain what I was going through. I wasn\u2019t good company and I was embarrassed and afraid that they would misunderstand or judge me.<\/p><\/div> So, it just seemed easier to retreat into my room and shut out the world. This can be an understandable reaction. Especially when many of us aren\u2019t even sure what we are feeling in those moments. On difficult days we might not even slow down enough to realize how hard we are struggling and completely forget to rescue ourselves.<\/p><\/div> I used to use my tendency to retreat socially as a red flag to tell me that I was having a difficult mental health day. I noticed that on days where I was pulling back from socializing, I was actually really struggling. This was a good cue for me to take stock of what I was actually feeling, and make more time to self care. Connecting with others, as hard as it may feel some days, is helpful because it leaves you with support instead of isolation.<\/p><\/div> It can be hard to find the motivation to reach out to a friend when you know you\u2019re having a hard day. But if you\u2019re able to be honest about how you feel, any good friend will understand. Maybe all you need is someone to join you on a grocery shop. Maybe just a phone call with your brother will help you get another perspective. It\u2019s just about connecting with someone so you don\u2019t fall into an isolated pit.<\/p><\/div> Study after study shows how certain types of social media can lead to more anxiety and depression. A constant stream of negative news has us feeling hopeless. Ideal beauty standards make us feel the pressure to change our bodies. It\u2019s real and deep disappointment we feel, when we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. The anxiety we feel when no one likes our carefully crafted post can ruin our whole day. Or the pain we feel when others shame us online has far-reaching consequences for our happiness. And the regret we feel after buying yet another item online that we can\u2019t actually afford.<\/p><\/div> Our existence online is often packed with negative emotions. And we may not even notice the extent of the anxiety and depression it causes until we have a chance to unplug and take a break from screens. If you're having a hard day, make a deliberate choice to step away from your screens in order to re-balance.<\/p><\/div> I know that in my own case, on the days where I was feeling especially bad, I was even more prone to impulse shopping online. Maybe having a real conversation with a friend would have been a better way to fill that void I was feeling. I still practice \u201cphone-free days\u201d where I take a break from all that is virtual in order to connect with what is in front of me. I find it helps me stay in the moment and focus on how I am really feeling. Unless I make the conscious decision to unplug<\/a>, the anxiety of not checking my phone lingers in all my daily activities.<\/p><\/div>Is senior depression inevitable?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n\u200bWhat causes senior depression?<\/h2>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/What-causes-senior-depression.jpg\" "\\"What")
<\/p>\nHealth<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Isolation<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Senior](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Senior-depression-and-technology.jpg\" "\\"Senior")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nWhat can be done to improve senior depression?<\/h2>\n
![\"Improve](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Improve-senior-depression.jpg\" "\\"Improve")
<\/p>\nKeep a purpose<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Learn a new skill instead of doing\u00a0<\/strong>Sudoku<\/h2>\n
![\"New](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/New-skill-against-senior-depression.jpg\" "\\"New")
<\/p>\nFight complacency<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Fight](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Fight-complacency-against-senior-depression.jpg\" "\\"Fight")
<\/p>\nWalk in the park, not at the gym<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Walk](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Walk-outside-to-beat-senior-depression.jpg\" "\\"Walk")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nThe Takeaway<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Community](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Community-against-senior-depression.jpg\" "\\"Community")
<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Remember rescue to self-care
<\/span><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t
- Jean Shinoda Bolen<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Introducing Rescue
<\/span><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>R for Relax and unwind<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
![\"Rescue](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Rescue-relax-and-unwind.jpg\" "\\"Rescue")
<\/span><\/div>Rescue - E for Eat Healthy and Hydrate<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
![\"Rescue](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Rescue-eating-healthy.jpg\" "\\"Rescue")
<\/span><\/div>S for Sleep<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
Rescue - C for Connect with Loved Ones<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
![\"Rescue](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Rescue-connect-with-loved-ones.jpg\" "\\"Rescue")
<\/span><\/div>U for Unplug<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
![\"Rescue](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Rescue-unplug.jpg\" "\\"Rescue")
<\/span><\/div>Rescue - E for Exercise<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
![\"Rescue](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Rescue-exercise.jpg\" "\\"Rescue")
<\/span><\/div>![\"Make](\"https:\/\/thejorni.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Make-time-to-rescue-yourself.jpg\" "\\"Make")
<\/span><\/div>