Keep a Close Watch on Those Holiday Blues
‘When families get together for the holidays, they need to watch for signs of depression in older relatives, says University of Michigan Health System expert Dr. Helen C. Kales.
Signs of possible depression in older people include: increased anxiety and irritability; being less joyful or quieter than normal; a loss of interest in things they used to enjoy; and talking a lot about people who have died.
Late-life depression affects as many as one in seven older people and is most common among those who are dealing with or have had serious physical health problems and those with a history of mental health disorders.
“One of the big things that happens at the holidays is that families who are coming in from out of town spot these symptoms and changes for the first time. For instance, their parent or relative isn’t taking as good care of themselves or their home as they used to,” Kales said in a prepared statement.’
Read more at Keep a Close Watch on Those Holiday Blues
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