A Note From Carol
Dear Friends,
In February, here on the High Plains, we've managed
to break a record of 31 degrees below (yes, below)
zero. We've had temps much lower than that, but for
February 20th, that was a record. So, it can only get
better, right? Now, with March upon us, even those of
us in the frozen Northland will start to feel a bit
sunnier.
Caregivers have enough trouble with depression
without endless winters and dark days. Care
receivers, having suffered many losses, also often
suffer from depression. While many joke about dark
moods on dark days, most of you have heard of SAD,
or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Now, with days
lengthening, we can hope that seasonal depression
will lift.
However, the depression felt by caregivers isolated
from friends and activities they once enjoyed
will not be cured by a little extra sunshine. And the
depression felt by an elder who has lost a spouse of
many decades won't be lifted by the sun. We need to
watch for the symptoms of depression in ourselves -
the caregivers - and in our care receivers.
Sometimes depression can be relieved by respite
care, so the caregiver has a little breathing space. The
care receiver usually benefits by this, as well (even
though many won't admit it).
Sometimes, however, therapy and/or medication are
needed to help people get through these rough times.
Don't let dark moods that last more than a couple of
weeks continue without a visit to a doctor. Clinical
depression can be a symptom of something else
wrong with the body, like a thyroid disorder. Or it can
be the primary disorder. Either way, help is needed.
I hope this Minding Our Elders Ezine can lift a few
caregiver's spirits, if only in showing that you, the
caregiver, aren't alone in this.
Take care of yourselves, Carol
