Physical And Cognitive Benefits Of Long-Term Care Facilities
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Physical And Cognitive Benefits Of Long-Term Care Facilities

You may be visiting our website if you have an aging loved one with physical and cognitive deficits. While you may be able to care for your elderly loved one at home, you may not have the clinical skills nor financial resources to do so. Our blog posts reveal the physical and cognitive benefits of nursing home and assisted living placement. Your questions and concerns regarding physical, occupational, and speech therapies are addressed here, as well as your concerns about nutritional interventions and social activities offered in nursing homes. After reading our helpful posts, you'll feel more confident in making the right long-term care choice for your senior loved one.

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Physical And Cognitive Benefits Of Long-Term Care Facilities

How Assisted Living Facilities Can Help Clinically Depressed Seniors

Alice Cox

As people age, certain factors can raise their risks for clinical depression. If you notice that your senior loved one seems sad, or if they display dramatic changes in sleeping patterns, appetite, or behavior, make an appointment with the physician. While these symptoms can indicate other causes, they may mean that the elderly individual is suffering from depression. If your aging loved one is unable to live alone anymore, consider an assisted living facility. Residing in a senior living facility may benefit your depressed loved one in the following ways. 

Nutritionally Dense Meals

Seniors who live alone, have preexisting conditions, or those who experience gastrointestinal side effects from their medications may lose their appetites. Because of this, they may develop nutritional deficiencies as a result of poor food intake. Unfortunately, poor nutritional intake may be a contributing factor for mood disorders such as clinical depression.

The dietary staff at many senior living facilities can prepare nutritionally dense meals for their residents so that the individuals meet their recommended daily allowances for vitamins and minerals. Once your elderly loved one is meeting their nutritional needs, signs of depression may decrease. In addition, if the aging individual does not have an appetite, the nursing staff at the assisted living facility can call a physician, who may recommend nutritional supplemental shakes or prescribe an appetite stimulant medication.

Discourages Social Isolation

Social isolation can cause depression for those who are elderly. This is especially true of seniors who live alone or who do not have family or friends with whom they can communicate. Elderly individuals who live in assisted living facilities can get involved in many social activities with other residents. These fun activities may include bingo, watching movies together, arts and craft classes, trivia nights, and cooking events. Many senior living facilities also have communal dining rooms so that the residents can enjoy their meals while socializing with their peers. Making new friends and enjoying social involvement can give depressed seniors renewed hope for a brighter future. 

If your elderly loved one seems depressed or is unable to live alone, contact an admissions coordinator at a senior living facility. They can further explain the benefits of assisted living facilities as they pertain to those suffering from depression. Once you have all the information that you need, you and your family will be better prepared to make a decision about whether to relocate your loved one to a senior living facility. Contact an assisted living facility for more information. 


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