Depression Among the Very Old Eased through Family Involvement
November 16th, 2009 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Headline
An often overlooked age group, the 85 and up set face many challenges that are typically reserved for old age. Memory issues, difficulty finding energy, and the rapid or prolonged loss of friends and loved ones can all contribute to symptoms of depression, which is experienced at a high rate among those in this age group. Efforts to develop targeted therapy programs and other forms of treatment for such clients are on-going, with a recent development having been made through research at the University of Michigan and Kyungpook National University. The research found that involving the very old in family affairs and keeping them informed of events can greatly help to ward off symptoms of depression. A simple strategy, including the elderly in decisions and discussions may go a long way towards relieving some of the psychological burden often carried during old age.
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All that older people crave for is love and affection coupled with care and attention from their family and it is no surprise that their health benefits from this.
An elder is someone who has seen all that we young and able think we know. We all like to look back at our memories and when u have a whole treasure trove of them, we would like to share it with others. Talking to an elder and having a fruitful conversation is an acquired art in my opinion. Most of us dont have the time, inclination or the need for a friend as they do. Funny how only the innocent like babies and young children get along with them unconditionally. I think the 1 thing they lack seriously is company. Man is a social animal and when social connections are missing, it leads to a chain of bad emotions.
Most children think of their aged parents as a burden and someone unwanted. No prejudice here, but that is what I have observed.
This feeling needs to change and it can change very easily if they reflect back at their own childhood. They were helpless little babies and it is their parents who took care of them and nurtured them. Don’t they deserve at least some of that care and attention at a time when they need it? I say they definitely do and it is the duty of every child to at least pay attention, if not much, to their aged parents.
You may give them the best of comforts and a lot of money but what your aged parents crave for is your company and attention. After all, love is greater than money.