Seniors and Depression

Depression can affect people at any age including senior citizens.  According to Web MD, “Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans age 65 and older, but only 10% receive treatment for depression.”  They suggest the reason for this may be that the symptoms seniors display are often ignored or assumed to be a result of illnesses and medications or just a normal part of growing older.

There are many reasons why seniors suffer from depression including major changes in their lives such as retirement, the death of a spouse, illnesses, disabilities and social isolation.  People suffering from very painful, disabling, or life-threatening illnesses are especially vulnerable to depression or the worsening of symptoms.  Furthermore, depression can be caused by medications that are commonly prescribed to the elderly including blood pressure medication, beta-blockers, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, calcium-channel blockers and medication for Parkinson’s as well as others.

Suffering from depression prevents seniors from enjoying life as they used to and can be the cause of a change in appetite, problems sleeping and impact physical health.  HelpGuide.org says, while sadness is one sign of depression, some seniors do not recognize or admit to feelings of sadness.  Rather someone may “complain instead of low motivation, a lack of energy, or physical problems.  In fact, physical complaints, such as arthritis pain or worsening headaches, are often the predominant symptom of depression in the elderly.”

All too often seniors just accept depression as a part of the aging process but there are steps you can take to help yourself or your loved one.  You first need to talk to your health care provider to rule out other problems, and then perhaps you need to make changes in your lifestyle.  Experts suggest that isolation and inactivity can make depression worse and they recommend getting involved in physical, mental and social activities.

*Our post is for information purposes only and should not be used as a

substitute for seeking medical advice.*

MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or give us a call to learn more about the best Phoenix area assisted living community.

Sources:webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-elderly

helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-in-older-adults-and-the-elderly.htm

Why Do Seniors Bruise More Easily?

You may have wondered why it is as you have gotten older; you seem to bruise more easily and find bruises that you do even remember getting.  There is a scientific explanation for why the problem occurs more commonly in the elderly, and generally bruises do not require treatment and are not serious.   However please keep in mind that significant bruising can be a sign of medical problems and should be discussed with your health care provider.   

According to the Mayo Clinic, a bruise, know in medical terms as a contusion, occurs “when small blood vessels (capillaries) near the skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or injury — often on the arms or legs.”   This impact causes blood to leak out of the vessels and look like the black-and-blue-mark we are all familiar with.  As we age, our skin becomes thinner and loses some of the fatty layer that protects our blood vessels from injury, thus making it easier to bruise. 

While most bruises do not require a doctor’s care, Dr. Aarthi Anand, a board certified geriatrician and family medicine practitioner in Los Angeles, suggests applying a frozen compress for up to twenty minutes at a time.  Also if you elevate the bruised area higher than your heart during the first 24 hours of the injury, it will help to reduce swelling and inflammation. 

There are several steps you can take to try to eliminate getting bruised in the first place.  To start, make sure your living space has a clear path to move around in so you can avoid bumping into things as well as help prevent falls.  Another thing you may want to do is to use a cane or walker if you are unsteady when you stand up or while walking. 

***This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. ***

MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to give us a call and schedule a tour to learn more about Phoenix’s best assisted living community.

Sources:mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762

aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/elderly-bruising 

Bring Your Pet to our Assisted Living Community

It was not that long ago that seniors moving into an assisted living community had to leave behind an important companion, their pet.  Today however, more and more retirement communities are recognizing the benefits of pets to the elderly, and many such as MorningStar at Acadia, allow residents to bring their pets with them. 

There has been a lot of research that validates the benefits of pets in seniors’ lives.  In fact, A Place for Mom website reports on a study that shows, “just 15 minutes bonding with an animal sets off a chemical chain reaction in the brain, lowering levels of the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol and increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin. The result: heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels immediately drop.”  They go on to say that interactions between pets and humans can “lower cholesterol levels, fight depression and may even help protect against heart disease and stroke.”

Another reason pets can be good for the elderly is that animals live in the here and now and do not think about tomorrow, which for some seniors, can be worrisome.  In addition animals offer unconditional love, emotional support and affection.  This is one reason why pet therapy programs are used in convalescent homes, hospitals, mental health centers and children centers.  Many people participating in such programs experience an improvement in appetite as well as “more social interaction and tactile and cognitive stimulation after interactions with pets.” 

There is even research that indicates pet therapy is beneficial for those suffering from dementia diseases such as Sundowners Syndrome and Alzheimer’s.  The animal’s complete acceptance and non-verbal communication has proven to be soothing for patients.  

Please contact us to learn more about the MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia community.  With beautifully appointed spaces and exceptional architecture, we are confident you will be impressed.

MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or give us a call to learn more about the best Phoenix area assisted living community.

Sources: aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/pet-friendly-assisted-living   

agingcare.com/Articles/benefits-of-elderly-owning-pets-113294.htm

Good News in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s

As it happened a week before Christmas, many of us may have missed the news regarding the historic funding bill signed into law by the President which provides a $350 million increase to Alzheimer’s disease research.  Not only is this a 60% increase from the 2015 budget but is the greatest increase in federal spending to-date.  

Finding a way to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s is now more important than ever.  The Alzheimer’s Association cites projections from an independent research firm that states, “Medicare spending on people with Alzheimer’s disease will more than quadruple in just over a generation to $589 billion annually in 2050.”  Furthermore, by delaying the onset of the disease by 5 years, “it would save Medicare $345 billion in the first 10 years alone”.

Add to that the fact that Alzheimer’s is the only top ten cause of death that is not preventable, curable or the progression slowed.  Also with more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and numbers only expected to grow as our population ages, it is not a small problem. 

While there are currently several drugs used to treat the disease, none of them treat the underlying cause of the disease.  However with this new funding from the federal government, we can only hope that scientists will be able to discover new treatments to advance the fight.  Bill Thies, PH.D., Senior Scientist in Residence for the Alzheimer’s Association states that, “Investing in research now will cost our nation far less than the cost of care for the rising number of Americans who will be affected by Alzheimer's in coming decades."

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or give us a call to learn more about the best Phoenix area assisted living community.

Sources: alz.org/research/science/alzheimers_treatment_horizon.asp

             alz.org/news_and_events_102432.asp