Solitary Confinement -- for Life

Sixty-five year old Arthur Jones served a self-imposed life sentence - in his own home.

Arthur lived in a high crime neighborhood, so he built iron cages around his outside doors and installed bars on all the windows. No one could find it easy to break in to Arthur's house!

I met Arthur a few years ago, although you would hardly call our interaction meeting. When I arrived to deliver his meal, as part of the Meals-on-Wheels program, Arthur barely cracked open his front door even though his cage clearly protected him. He refused to open the cage door at all, so, to give him his meal, I had to angle the box through the bars. Without doubt, this maneuver scrambled the hot contents of his boxed meal, but Arthur would have it no other way. He clearly feared me, a 100-pound woman, and everyone else.

I wish I could say that Arthur's family came to his rescue, finding for him the medical and emotional treatment he needed. I cannot. Arthur's depression and paranoia compounded relentlessly, killing him at far too young an age.

Many elders live like Arthur, holed up in their own homes, barricaded against the world. Who cares? Family and friends must care, and they must assume the primary responsibility, acting before their elder's condition rivals that of Arthur. We cannot shift this burden to our government. We cannot wish it away. Those among us lucky enough to have elders in our lives must shoulder the responsibility of seeing that they do not succumb to depression.

At this holiday season, many elders experience transitory depression, as celebrations bring memories of friends and loved ones who have died. Decreased hours of sunshine may add to their depressed feelings. How do you know if your elder suffers from serious depression? And, if you suspect depression, what you should do? Here are a few tips.

What signs should lead you to suspect serious depression?

• Lethargy and or refusal to get out of bed;

• Changes in Sleep Patterns, such as sleeping all morning

• Unusual Complaints

• Memory loss and loss of ability to concentrate

• Frequent sighs or weeping if unusual for the sufferer

• Feeling fear and loneliness;

• Thoughts of death

• Refusal to eat

• Refusal to take prescribed medications

• Thoughts or talk of suicide (remember, the notion that suicides do not signal their plans is a myth!)

• Significant changes in personality

• Irritability

What Can You Do?

A few simple steps may improve their condition rapidly:

• Call more often than usual.

• Take your elder for outings away from the house.

• Schedule a medical appointment to confirm or deny your suspicions, and be the one to take your elder to that appointment. Depression often accompanies the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

• Check bottles to be certain that your elder is actually taking prescribed medications at the recommended dosages. Too many or too few pills in the bottle can warn you of problems. If you find evidence that medications are not taken as prescribed, gently probe to see if you can learn why.

• Include the elder in parties and holiday festivities, but keep the duration of their participation at a level they can handle comfortably.

• Drop in more often than usual on homebound elders.

You don't have to be a doctor or social worker to recognize the signs of depression. Take action now to protect those who protected you.

About The Author

Phyllis Staff, Ph.D. - Phyllis Staff is an experimental psychologist and the CEO of The Best Is Yet.Net, an internet company that helps seniors and caregivers find trustworthy residential care. She is the author of How to Find Great Senior Housing: A Roadmap for Elders and Those Who Love Them. She is also the daughter of a victim of Alzheimer's disease. Visit the author's web site at http://www.thebestisyet.net

pando19@yahoo.com

---

When Assistance with Long Term Care Becomes Necessary

According to the Administration on Aging, it is estimated by... Read More

Strategies on Paying for Nursing Home Care and Medicaid

The decision to place your loved one into a nursing... Read More

The Golden Years

1) What does Adrian Mitchell say we do to people... Read More

The Dryer Ate Your Underwear!

Q: My mom is in the early stages of dementia... Read More

Hinged Rail Stair Lifts

If a door at the top or the bottom of... Read More

Compare Nursing Homes

Finding the best nursing home is easier than you might... Read More

Long Term In-home Care Options

Are you worried that you may lose all your life's... Read More

Local Businesses Serving Seniors Prove Commitment to Quality Care

Good news! You no longer have to risk chance when... Read More

Respiratory Help Is Available For Seniors With COPD

As HMOs Continue to Drop Coverage for Seniors - Now... Read More

Introducing the Best Available Long Term Care Policy Guarantee

If you're 60 to 70 years old ... or have... Read More

Skilled Nursing Homes - What Are They?

A skilled nursing home is a medical facility providing services... Read More

Assisted Living Facilities ? What Are They?

Assisted Living facilities are generally for person's 60 years of... Read More

When the Box is Empty

The King had a modest kingdom. He was Danish. This... Read More

What About Tennesse Dept. of Human Services Abuse of the Elderly and Their Families?

PART I: Physical Abuse of the Elderly vs. Tennessee DHS... Read More

Short Trips Can Stimulate Alzheimers Patients

Severe degradation of short-term memory means that my father, an... Read More

Feeling Lonely?

Q: I hate Alzheimer's disease, not only has it robbed... Read More

Marketing, Selling, and Serving the Older Adult, Senior Citizens, Family Caregivers

Are your clients pleased by the fine quality service that... Read More

Advocate For Senior Citizens ? Protecting Against Abuse and Fraud

Ruth is 87 years old this year and has been... Read More

Solitary Confinement -- for Life

Sixty-five year old Arthur Jones served a self-imposed life sentence... Read More

Stair Lift Buying Guide

There is no doubt that having a stair lift in... Read More

Alzheimers Care Giving While Maintaining Your Own Health

Just for a moment I want you to imagine that... Read More

Long Term-Care; 70 Million Americans Will Be Over 65 by 2003

We will all grow old; this is a given. We... Read More

Just Give Them a Lot of Love and You?ll be Fine

It was right about this time, 19 years ago. My... Read More

Prepare to Make Long-term Care Choices

Several months ago, I was coming out of a gas... Read More

How To Find Affordable Senior Housing

A few years ago Miranda M. became a widow. After... Read More

Nursing Home Staffing Levels: How Much Is Enough?

During the week of February 17, 2002, headlines screamed the... Read More

Second Hand Stair Lifts

Buying second hand stair lifts is a viable and cost... Read More

Senior Living: 5 Ways to Help Reduce the Risk of Falling

Every year we hear stories of seniors falling, ending up... Read More

The Truth About Christmas

Every year, as Christmas approaches, you hear Christmas carols everywhere.... Read More

Assisted Living: Tips on How to Choose a Facility

It is easy to be fooled by fancy drapery or... Read More

Paying For Elder Care Just Got Easier

It's not a surprise that thousands of families across the... Read More

What Colour was Your Great-grandmothers Hair?

I've just made another Photoshop video. This one is about... Read More

Board and Care Homes ? What Are They?

Board and Care homes (also known as RCFE's - Residential... Read More