Helping A Senior With Depression After The Loss Of A Spouse

Helping A Senior With Depression After The Loss Of A Spouse

by: Jackie Waters from Hyper Tidy

Losing a spouse at any stage of life is an enormous, life-changing event. When it happens to a senior, however, it can be particularly difficult to cope with. After spending so many years together building a life and having children, seeing the person you love go before you is devastating. For many seniors, depression is a very real concern, and it can be amplified by other health concerns or substance abuse.

It’s important to keep in mind that it’s also a very confusing time; many seniors are unsure of where to begin when it comes to making arrangements, informing family members, and getting their affairs into order. This overwhelming process can lead to stress, anxiety, loss of sleep, and mood swings, all of which contribute to depression.

If you have a loved one who has recently lost a spouse and you suspect they may be suffering from depression, it’s never too late to reach out to help. Read on to find out the best ways to get started.

Get support

The loss of a spouse can take a huge toll on an individual, both physically and emotionally, so it’s important to find a means of support outside of friends and family who won’t always be around. A counselor, therapist, or support group for grief are all great ways to help your loved one get through this difficult time. Do some research online and write down names, numbers, websites, and addresses so that when your loved one is ready to take that step, he’ll have a list of resources.

Know the signs of substance abuse

The loss of a partner can be so monumental that it seems that pain will never go away. People who are coping with loss and grief often turn to a substance that helps them numb those feelings, and it’s all too easy to become dependent on those substances. Knowing the warning signs of substance abuse will allow you to help your loved one before any damage is done. These include:

●       Sleeping too much or too little

●       A lack of hygiene

●       Sudden mood swings

●       Withdrawing from friends and family

●       Having a strong odor of alcohol on their breath, or constantly using mouthwash/mints

●       Chills or sweating

●       Changes in behavior

●       Tremors in the hands

Depression and substance abuse are often diagnosed together. For more information on how to get help for your loved one who is exhibiting these symptoms, read on here.

Get help

For many seniors, a spouse can play the role of caregiver. As the years go on and we begin to exhibit more and more health issues, having a loving partner there to help with medicine and doctor’s visits and to be a comforting presence in case of an emergency is essential. Your loved one must now face living alone and all that entails. One of the best ways to help ease some of the stress that brings is to find help. Whether it’s in the form of a friend or family member coming over a few times a week to assist with laundry and the dishes or hiring a housekeeper to come and help out, your loved one will benefit from having someone there. You might also consider hiring a home health nurse if your loved one has physical ailments.

It can be difficult to watch your loved one go through such a hard time, so think about yourself and your emotional needs, as well, especially if these are family members or close friends. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you feel you need to talk to someone. It’s not selfish to keep your own needs in mind when someone you care about passes away.

Special Children, Special Care

Special Children, Special Care

by: Jenny Wise of Special Home Educator

All children will experience accidents, injuries, and illnesses. Most of these are temporary and won’t interfere with the child’s quality-of-life, mental development, or their ability to care for themselves in adulthood. However, some conditions, such as epilepsy, spina bifida, and cerebral palsy, require around-the-clock care and lifelong accommodations.

Here, we'll answer a few of the most common questions related to the everyday (and future) care of special needs children.

What is a chronic illness/permanent disability and how common are they?

The University of Michigan estimates that up to 18% of children born in the United States have a chronic health condition. A chronic condition is any illness or physical impairment that is expected to last the duration of the child’s life. Asthma and diabetes are two of the most common chronic illnesses in children and are typically manageable, allowing the child to lead a relatively normal life with few modifications. Other conditions, including cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy, persist with permanent life-altering symptoms.

How is caring for a special-needs child different than that of other children?

Children with some disabilities, such as Down syndrome, require care very similar to normally developing children. Mild to moderate disabilities may necessitate additional medical care, screenings, and monitoring for issues of the thyroid, heart, and cognitive development. Children with more pronounced disabilities will need assistance with basic functions related to hygiene, medication, and with any durable medical appliances such as a ventilator, catheter, or tracheotomy tube. Whereas non-special-needs children are typically self-sufficient by their teen years, those with exceptional health conditions may require indefinite care and companionship.

Who should act as caregiver for a special needs child/adult?

At the age of 18, children, regardless of disabilities, are seen as adults and thus, by law, are responsible for their own personal and financial well-being. Parents of children with significant disabilities may wish to apply for legal guardianship status, which allows them to continue to make important financial and medical decisions on behalf of their offspring. An adult under the guardianship of another is called a ward. Often, personal, medical, and financial decisions for the ward are made by the same person. Physically incapacitated adults may be capable of making decisions about their care but may not be able to handle financial tasks. In this case, a conservator may be necessary. A conservator is a person or entity responsible for making financial decisions for the disabled individual but has no authority over medical care. As parents age, it may become necessary to appoint a successor guardian and/or conservator. A guardian/caregiver should be someone with whom the child has held a relationship with and can be trusted to consider the child’s best interest for the duration of his or her life. The American Bar Association explains that conservatorship and guardianship carry different responsibilities depending on state of appointment.

Are there financial assistance programs available to help offset the cost of long-term care?

Medical care is exponentially expensive with a price tag that can reach into the millions of dollars over the course of a lifetime. There are a number of federal programs for persons with disabilities to help cover living expenses and medical costs. The US Department of Health and Human Services notes there are more than a dozen special services that provide for the educational and welfare needs of children and adults with disabilities that prevent them from maintaining gainful employment; this list is a good place to start, but, depending upon the state of residence, other assistance may be available.

Caring for a child with disabilities is an emotionally and physically exhausting experience but one that is not without its rewards. These children are remarkable fighters and instill a sense of awe and wonderment in their friends and family. Parents of kids with special needs are truly some of the world’s greatest superheroes with the ability to reach into the future to ensure the health and safety of their alternately-able children.