The Longest Day Series Part 4: Depression

June 14, 2023

About the series: According to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s model, there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While this model explains the grief cycle based on bereavement, we’re going to explore how loved ones and those with Alzheimer’s navigate the cycle as the disease progresses. Last week we talked about bargaining (click here to find that blog if you missed it) and how it affects not only the caregiver but also the person with Alzheimer’s themselves. This week we are diving into depression.

Melanie Williams shared that she felt like she lost an important connection because of Alzheimer’s. She explained, “My first mom will never be back. Each step is further into the disease. Even though you know there might be plateaus, it doesn’t get better. I’ll never be able to share new experiences—when you’ve shared everything with them and they’re your confidante, you lose your sounding board.”

Facts About Depression

The Alzheimer’s Association website tells us that up to 40% of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s suffer from depression. Because Alzheimer’s disease also impacts effective communication, someone with both diagnoses may be unable to explain how they feel, and their symptoms might be hard to distinguish.

The Family Caregiver Alliance reports that caregivers supporting someone with dementia may be twice as likely as other caregivers to experience depression. When someone you love is forgetting their life and all the ways they’ve made your life amazing, too, it’s likely to send you bouncing around through depression and other emotions of the grief cycle.

 

Find Senior Living Near Me

 

Once diagnosed, a medical doctor can offer treatment options for depression, such as counseling or medications. Medications can alleviate the symptoms, but they depend on each person’s needs.

If you’re supporting a loved one with depression and Alzheimer’s, pay close attention to them. They may respond to their diagnoses in a way you never thought possible. Yale School of Medicine reports that during the first few months following a dementia diagnosis, those aged 65-74 years old had an increased risk of suicide.

For family members or caregivers experiencing depression, support groups may be very beneficial, along with doctor-prescribed measures. A friendly chat with others who are helping their loved ones or clients manage symptoms of Alzheimer’s can help you feel validated.

Lifestyle choices like healthy eating, sleeping, and working out can help alleviate symptoms of depression. It’s important not to get caught up in unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol or drugs, to manage depression symptoms.

Changing Roles

If your parent is suffering from Alzheimer’s, you may find yourself trying to stay very strong to keep them calm and happy. It may feel like you’re the parent and they’re the child. That is not to compare those with Alzheimer’s to children in any regard, but just as parents offer their children comfort and guidance, you’re probably doing the very same thing for them in their time of need. Sometimes, that role reversal is so hard to cope with that it can create distance between those with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones.

Don’t Let Changes Keep You Away

Alzheimer’s makes people different. It’s important to accept the new “them.” Sometimes, the grief or even depression experienced among family members is too strong, and they opt out of visiting once a person changes beyond their comfort level. It’s crucial to meet the disease where and for what it is.

At the beginning of this series, we explained the importance of receiving a diagnosis and learning about Alzheimer’s. If a family member refuses to visit because they see their loved one with Alzheimer’s as someone they no longer recognize, encourage them to learn more about it. Sometimes, a true understanding of the disease can help change their perspective.

When you stop correcting your loved one or hoping they will return to how you’ve known them, it speaks to the “Acceptance” stage. Join us next week for our final blog in the series “Acceptance.”

More Recent Posts

View All News
Female residents with coffee cups in hand

December 23, 2024

A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way!

It’s just about “New Year, New Me” time already. Whether you rocked your personal goals in 2024 or are still plugging away, celebrate even the smallest wins. Life is tough, and a positive mindset can be a great way to face it. When circumstances aren’t what we hoped for, or life gives us lemons, it […]

Read More
Senior and female child looking at a book inside of a library

December 11, 2024

6 Tips for a Better Winter

  Winter turns the world into a playground—where kids (and the young at heart) revel in the magic of snowflakes, snowball fights, and the joy of building snowmen. Even a pesky winter storm can go from dreaded news to the start of cherished memories in an instant. But let’s be honest—there comes a point when […]

Read More
Two senior female residents looking merry in red holiday sweaters

December 1, 2024

Eat, Drink, & Be Merry this Season

Ahh, the holiday parties are upon us. From charcuterie boards to egg nog and relaxing by warm fires, make it memorable this year by feeling your best. Eating, drinking, and being merry without missing any good stuff is 100% possible! Food is a big part of family togetherness and holidays. However, as we age, our […]

Read More
Mature couple reviewing long-term care insurance policy

November 25, 2024

How to Be Prepared for Long-Term Care

  As we gear up for a busy holiday season filled with loved ones, laughter, and festive gatherings, it’s also important to know that November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month. It’s the perfect time to start thinking ahead. Being informed and prepared can make all the difference, and exploring long-term care insurance is one way […]

Read More