Does Depression Affect Sleep?

By Jamie Shapiro | November 5, 2021 | Comments Off on Does Depression Affect Sleep?

Feeling down or blue is a normal part of life, but when it continues for a long time, it becomes concerning. Believe it or not, seniors can get depressed and it is often something we overlook in society. Many people don’t want to think about their seniors or parents becoming depressed. However, senior isolation can play a huge role in depression, which in-home care might be able to help with. Instead of sending a senior away to a senior home, it may be better to provide in-home care.

Depression is a mood disorder that can affect anyone, including the senior that you love. They may not be able to do everything they once did, and it may affect them negatively. The change from adult to senior can be hard to cope with, and sometimes it takes extra help to adapt to these changes. Depression can affect many things in your body outside of your moods.

This disorder can affect appetite, sleep, and overall health. If in-home care starts noticing depression followed by poor sleeping habits, it may be time for them to get outside help. Sometimes doctors are necessary, therapists and even outside friends can help. It can take a whole team of people to ensure a senior is safe and healthy.

How Does Sleep Affect Depression and Depression Affect Sleep

Unfortunately, some doctors may hesitate in diagnosing someone with depression when they have sleep issues. However, it’s also true that lack of proper sleep can further affect depression. It is also true that a person with depression will likely develop sleeping issues or bad sleeping habits. Since they are so closely connected, it can be hard to understand which comes first, sleeping problem or depression? Many other sleeping issues are connected with depression.

 In-Home Care Lake Forest, IL: Depression and Sleep

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Insomnia
  • Hypersomnia

These can all be linked to sleeping problems, but depression is also one of the most common problems you will find connected to sleeping issues.

Learning to Sleep Better With Depression

Luckily, most seniors diagnosed with depression and start treatment early will find they start sleeping better. There are some other ways to try to sleep better at night too.

Exercise

One of the most important things anyone can do is exercise regularly. Seniors may not be able to lift 300 Lbs weights anymore, but in-home care can help them stay as active as possible. Using 5-pound dumbbells or going on short walks can help a senior burn extra energy and make it possible to sleep at night.

Therapy

Having a support system or someone to talk to will be key. If something is bothering a senior, but they feel like they have no one to talk to, it can fester if nothing is done about it. This can cause even more sleeping problems. Therapy can help them learn to understand what they are feeling and may help them sleep better.

Routines

In-home care can help a senior keep a regular routine for waking up and going to bed. A routine helps a senior’s body understand what time it is and when they should be resting.

If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care in Lake Forest, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
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Depression and Sleep

Jamie Shapiro
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