Seniors and Post-Holiday Blues

Seniors and Post-Holiday Blues: Why it Happens and What to Do

Seniors and Post-Holiday Blues | The holidays can be a time of joy, togetherness and connection. For seniors that are isolated from family and friends, these happy feelings can be replaced with anxiety or depression once the festivities end.

Feeling blue after the holidays is not uncommon for older adults – especially for those that are isolated from loved ones, suffering from a physical illness or those with a less busy lifestyle.

Some specific ideas for Seniors to avoid the Post-Holiday Blues include:

Plan travel and reunions: Booking a getaway, or making plans to see family and friends, can help those that live far from their loved ones. A trip or reunion doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate – scheduling an outing or dinner with the family in the coming months can help lift spirits.
Learn something new: For some seniors, anxiety and depression can be worse when they are idle. Taking up a hobby or learning a new skill can provide a challenge that is enjoyable, and activity can combat negative thinking.
Relive the best moments: Collecting photos and memories from the latest holiday season, and looking at past year’s mementos, can bring back the joy felt while celebrating. And remembering the best times can help seniors feel gratitude and connection – even when the ones they love aren’t right there.
Give back: Volunteering is a great way to ease post-holiday sadness. Helping others in need, whether it’s a short- or long-term commitment, can have a positive impact on everyone involved. And, there are volunteer opportunities available for those that are able to get out into the community as well as activities for those that have mobility issues or prefer to volunteer from their own home.
Physical activity is good for the body and soul: Fitness centers often have discounts at the beginning of the year, and there are low-impact exercises that can be done at home or outside. And physical activity can improve both the body and the mind. Older adults should always consult with their doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Dance and sing into the new year: Turning someone’s mood around can be as simple as listening to happy songs, playing an instrument or dancing the afternoon away. Seniors can ask family and friends for suggestions, make playlists of their favorite tunes or take time to rediscover an album they love.

Comfort Keepers^®Can Help

Our goal is to provide uplifting in-home care that benefits seniors and their families. The individualized care plans we create for our clients that consider physical goals as well as non-physical mental health needs. Our caregivers can provide transportation to community events, support physician-prescribed exercise regimens, provide companionship and help families stay connected through technology. We strive to elevate the human spirit through quality, compassionate, joyful care.

To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your local Comfort Keepers Orangeville location today.

Bonus Article: In-Home Care That Elevates the Human Spirit

References:

Health Resources & Services Administration. “The Loneliness Epidemic.” Web. 2019.

U.S. News. “Depression in Seniors: Why the Holidays Can Be Hard.” Web. 2018.

HelpGuide. “Depression in Older Adults: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment. Web. 2019.

WebMD. “Holiday Depression and Stress.” Web. 2018.

National Council on Aging. Mental Health this Holiday and Beyond: 4 Steps to Combat Lonliness in Seniors.” Web. 2016.

Seniors and Bladder Incontinence

Seniors and Bladder Incontinence – bladder incontinence is a highly prevalent disease that not only affects a senior’s health, but impacts their daily lives emotionally, socially, and economically. With a rapidly growing senior population, more people will experience incontinence – however, it is not an inevitable part of aging.

What happens with Bladder Incontinence:

The body stores urine in the bladder, a hollow organ much like a balloon. During urination, muscles in the bladder tighten to move urine into a tube called the urethra, while the muscles around the urethra relax and let the urine pass out of the body. When the muscles in and around the bladder don’t work properly, urine can leak. Incontinence can occur for short periods of time due to urinary tract infections, constipation, or as a side effect of a medication.

Fast Fact

At least one in eight Canadians aged 65 and older suffered from urinary incontinence according to
a Stats Can report.

When bladder leaking urine lasts longer, it may be due to:

Urge Incontinence: The most common diagnosis, this involves an urgent need to urinate resulting in the loss of urine before arriving at the toilet, caused by involuntary contractions of the bladder that can’t be stopped. Also called overactive bladder, it can be caused by strokes, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, or injuries. Conditions such as pelvic floor atrophy in women, prostate enlargement in men, or constipation in either sex can also lead to urge incontinence.
Stress Incontinence: This occurs when an increase in abdominal pressure overcomes the closing pressure of the bladder. Abdominal pressure rises when you cough, sneeze, laugh, climb stairs, or lift objects. The bladder muscles of seniors may be so weak that leaking can occur just by getting up out of a chair. Stress incontinence is more common in women due to pregnancy and childbirth, and a lack of estrogen in postmenopausal women can also cause muscular atrophy that may lead to the condition. Men with enlarged prostates, have had prostate cancer treatments or surgery can also develop it.
Overflow Incontinence: Rarely diagnosed, this occurs when one’s bladder never completely empties. Sufferers frequently feel the need to go and often leak small amounts of urine. This condition is often caused by an obstruction in the urinary tract system or by a bladder that either has very weak contractions or is unable to contract at all. Causes include an enlarged prostate or damage from prostate surgery, constipation, fecal impaction, and nerve damage from stokes or diabetes.
Functional Incontinence: This incontinence is caused by disabilities. Arthritis could make unzipping one’s pants difficult, or a bad hip could make a trip to the facilities take longer than expected – and accidents might happen. Neurological disorders, stroke complications, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or multiple sclerosis are other causes. Often, the mind cannot plan or carry out a bathroom trip.
Mixed Incontinence: People can have more than one type of incontinence. Usually there is a combination of stress and urge incontinence, especially in women. People with severe dementia, Parkinson’s disease, neurological disorders, or who have had strokes can suffer from urge and functional incontinence.

Urinary incontinence diagnosis: Your loved one may feel embarrassed by accidents and the use of absorbent pads or protective underwear, which, in turn, could trigger a reluctance to visit the doctor. Or there could be some confusion about which specialist to see. But stress to your loved one that the best reason to see a doctor is that senior urinary incontinence is quite treatable. If your loved one feels comfortable with his or her primary care doctor, start there. Women can also find a urogynecologist, while men could visit a urologist; either can see a geriatrician, or a nurse practitioner who specializes in incontinence issues.

What to expect with Seniors and Bladder Incontinence:

A urinalysis to rule out infection or blood in the urine; blood tests to check on kidney function, calcium and glucose levels; a thorough discussion of one’s medical history; and a complete physical exam, including a rectal exam and a pelvic exam for women, and a urological exam for men. The doctor may prescribe a medicine that calms muscles and nerves to treat an overactive bladder. If leakage is caused by weak muscles, the doctor or nurse can suggest exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles. The doctor may fit a woman with a device worn in the vagina that helps lift the bladder. If other treatments fail, surgery may be suggested to improve bladder control.

What caregivers can do to help:

Avoid giving drinks like caffeinated coffee, tea, and sodas that increase urination, but don’t limit water; keep pathways clear and the bathroom clutter-free with a light on at all times; make sure there are regular bathroom breaks; if there is a tendency to leak urine at certain times of the day, trips to the bathroom ahead of time can help; supply underwear that is easy to get on and off; and use absorbent underclothes for trips away from home.

Discussing it with your loved one:

Find a time when you and your loved one can be alone together, and discuss the subject with sensitivity and clarity. This is a dignity issue. Help your loved one understand that dignity is very important to both of you.

Comfort Keepers^® can help. We offer a wide range of in-home care services ranging from personal care to companionship. Our services can include bathing, grooming, and hygiene; mobility assistance; toileting and incontinence care; dementia care; meal preparation; household tasks; and more. Call the Comfort Keepers Orangeville office today!

Bonus Article: What to Expect with Home Care

References:

A Place for Mom. “Elderly Urinary Incontinence: Causes & Care.” Web. 2016.

AgingCare.com. “Urinary and Bowel Incontinence for the Elderly and Aging.” Web. 2016.

WebMD. “Over Half of Seniors Plagued by Incontinence: CDC.” Web. 2014.

AgingCare.com. “How to Approach the Subject of Incontinence and Adult Diapers with an Elderly Parent.” Web. 2016.

NIH National Institute on Aging. “Urinary Incontinence.” Web. 2016.

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Seniors and Post-Holiday Blues