Everyone has mood swings and it is something caregivers have to deal with. We often run the gamut of emotions several times a day. Various triggers in our lives can evoke feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration – among others. Having a support system is important so that we may talk through our feelings. In the elderly sector of society, a support system may be non-existent. Seniors who do not have anyone with whom to discuss their feelings may begin to express them in other ways. Such expressions offer valuable insight into what the client’s emotional state and needs are.
Some of the ways the elderly may express anger are:
- being combative
- breaking things
- cursing
- shouting
- name calling
- withdrawing
Caregivers have to take the time to sit down with an angry senior and find out the source of their anger. Family members and friends can help caregivers with the senior to work through the issue and redirect their anger toward more productive things.
Some of the ways a senior may express feelings of sadness are:
- crying
- withdrawing
- losing interest in things or activities
- sleeping a lot
It’s very important that family members and caregivers find the source of the client’s sadness. Making repeated efforts to lift the client’s spirits is essential to deterring the onset of mental illnesses such as depression.
Some of the ways a senior may express feelings of anxiety are:
- shaking
- trembling
- trouble concentrating
- wringing hands
- decreased appetite
- insomnia
- crying
Because the continued presence of anxiety can lead to more serious conditions such as panic disorder, it is very important that caregivers and family members find effective ways to soothing an anxious client. Talking to them to find out exactly what they are nervous or anxious about can lead to the creation of a plan to effectively put the worries to rest.
The most important thing to remember is to address a senior’s feelings and emotions with dignity, respect, and compassion. Seniors may not know how to communicate their feelings, even if they have an audience to share them with. Careful and considerate methods of helping the senior cope with their emotions should be employed by everyone who comes in contact with the senior to reinforce the idea that whatever they may be feeling is okay and that they are entitled to feel any way they want to feel. Ensuring that the senior has a dependable group of supportive people can and will make all the difference in the world.
Tags: bremerton, caregivers, home care providers, in home care, port orchard, poulsbo, senior health care, silverdale
