As we get older, our temperament and moods can fluctuate which can sometimes be cause for concern for our loved ones. There are many factors that play a role in temperamental changes. Here are a few examples:
Hormonal changes
As women get older, hormonal changes occur and these changes can play a big role in changes in many parts of the body due to lower oestrogen levels. The good news is, hormone imbalances are easily identified with blood tests and there are various options to manage this.
Grief and loss
Losing friends and relatives who are also getting older, is another factor when it comes to mental decline and depression. It’s possible that mood swings happen when people are trying to adjust to life without the person they have lost. Stages of grief also tend to fluctuate from one day to the next. This is normal when going through the loss of a loved one.
Cognitive decline
Anxiety, irritability, and depression can be early signs of the onset of Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Moodiness from cognitive decline can be difficult to manage as there is no real solution. If you or your loved one is experiencing signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia, the best thing one can do is be a loving and calming presence for them. Music is a wonderful way to soothe the senses and create a calming atmosphere for the brain.
Pain and illness
Sometimes your elderly loved one is feeling down due to pain or discomfort from an illness or lack of getting a good night’s sleep.
Loneliness
Due to the daily constraints of a working, busy life, our elderly loved ones do not always get to spend time with their friends and family. Loneliness can lead to depression, mental decline and even dementia. We can all try to be conscious of making a point of spending as much time as we can with our elderly family members, especially those that live alone.
Ways to remedy the situation
One of the simplest and helpful ways of combatting moodiness in your loved one, is simply to listen! Just taking the time to listen to what is troubling them can really do a lot to help them. Talk things through with them, and if you feel that this is really helping them, but you just don’t have enough time to do a thorough enough job of it, consider getting outside help.
All in all, we all struggle to keep up a continuous, positive outlook on life, especially when all the above factors play a role. We can, however, do our best to be as patient and caring to our elderly loved ones as possible. Our life experiences make us who we are, and each one of us is extremely important and unique and deserves all the love and care possible, especially on this long and complex road of life.
We hope these tips help you and we encourage you to speak to your doctor should you be feeling down or depressed. While some days may be harder than others, try to remind yourself that every day is a blessing.
Your ageing loved one deserves quality care, and Dewcare can provide this in the form of homebased care. For further information, or to schedule an in-home consultation with us, please contact us at 028 316 1547.
Keywords:
Homebased care; elderly care; ageing parents; carers; in-home care; Hermanus; Dewcare; caregiver