How to Keep Your Grandparents Safe from Depression

by: Felicity
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As Grandparents' Day draws near, we are reminded once again of how important our grandparents are to us. With the passing of the years, as those precious summer visits spent in their warm and loving company dwindled until we finally have grown too old and too busy for them, the memory of our grandparents began to drift farther into the background as well. Immersed in our adult responsibilities, too often a time, we are so caught up in our own issues and agendas that we could only unearth those precious memories and remember them during family holidays like Grandparents' Day. Sadly, it is during the last and weakest stage of their lives—a time when they need assistance the most—that majority of elderly people, mostly grandparents, find themselves on their own against the inevitable onset of aging which includes a vulnerability to depression.

Alarming statistical figures show that one out of 15 seniors aged 65 and above is battling depression, which is the primary reason for 1/4th of the suicide cases among them. Understandably, being in the twilight years forces them to face not only the truth about aging, but also the continuous losses they experience as the years add on. Abandoning careers and hobbies due to physical limitations and feeling neglected due to absent loved ones plunge them into a state of confounding sadness which could escalate with the passing of time. At this point, paying attention to their emotional needs is a must to prevent them from sliding towards depression. Taking easy measures as simple as empathizing and spending a few moments with them would suffice to help them stay emotionally healthy. In order to elucidate how you can do this effectively, ponder the suggestions below:

Share your life with them.

Getting them involved in your plans, regardless of how mundane it may be, would suffice to keep them from feeling isolated and neglected. The latter would only heighten the loneliness that comes with aging, which could make them feel sadder.

Understand them with all your heart.

Despite their hard headedness and illogical, even childlike behavior, at times, do not lash out on them or criticize them harshly. Sensitive as they are, the slightest rude comment or treatment can drag their spirits down.

Be compassionate towards their personal plights.

Giving them the cold shoulder whenever they voice out their problems would give the impression that they no longer matter to you. As trivial as their problems seem to you, do not ignore them or criticize them for being shallow. Remember: they are emotionally vulnerable during this stage. Be empathetic and compassionate towards them.

Listen to what they have to say.

Sometimes they just need someone who would act as their sounding board. Like everyone else, having someone to listen to them as they unburden themselves emotionally or just share their light-hearted thought on things goes a long way in making them feel valued and loved.

Pay them a visit regularly.

Given that your schedule does not allow you to be with them every day, make time to visit them regularly at least once a month. Although this may not look like much, looking forward to your company is enough to lift their spirits and help them steer clear of loneliness and other negative feelings or ideas, giving them enough reason to want to stay around longer.

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About the Author

Felicity Maris Modesto is a content writer/editor and visual artist with a passion for topics delving on health and self-improvement. She is interested in the emerging online pharmacy industry. For more information about online healthcare and buying tramadol online, please consult http://www.orderdrugs.ca/buy_tramadol.html

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