How Do You Help A Sad Old Man

Grief is a part of life and no one can escape it. However, there are certain stages in life when we are more prone to grief. One of these stages is when we are older, when we begin to see youth on the horizon in the distance that we left behind a long time ago. If there are elderly people in your life who are depressed or “just” sad, you may be wondering how you could help them.

There are several reasons why sadness may occur in old age. Just like in youth, your body changes suddenly and it is out of your control. Also used to identify with your family members and your environment is changing. At this point, many people stop working regularly, while others have to deal with the loss of a spouse, friend, and probably unfulfilled dreams.

Helping a sad old man is not as difficult as it may seem. It is true that he may have severe physical limitations limiting him. In general, however, there are many options that can change her life and make it happier.

Risk factors for depression

The best way to help an elderly person is to make him or her aware of the risk factors for depression. Keep in mind that losses are common at this stage of life, while “gains” are less common. It is the opposite of what happens in childhood.

Other conditions can increase the risk of depression later in life. Here are some key reasons:

• Health status. The risk of depression is much higher in those who suffer from health problems, especially chronic illness. This is especially true for degenerative or persistently painful diseases.

• Characteristics of the character. People who are insecure or have low self-esteem are more likely to become sad as they get older.
• Financial position. Both financial dependence and lack of resources increase a person’s risk of depression at this stage in life.
• Living alone.
• Little or no social interaction.

Now that you are aware of the risk factors, you can also observe them. Then you can evaluate them, but always with the active participation of the person in question. Remember, its goal is always to prevent depression.

Helping a sad old man

Helping a sad old man does not mean taking responsibility for his grief. A depressed person does not need anyone to “adopt” him, let alone pity him. She needs motivation, love, follow and support. But most of all, he needs respect.

That means you have to accept his timing, decisions, and preferences. You can give him advice and encourage him, but you also need to tell him that he is making his own decisions. Changes are more likely to persist when you act this way.

Smart, personal help is even more effective when it is honest and loving. Your help will have a greater impact when you really care about the person you are helping than if you only do it out of your own desire for comfort.

So what can you do to help an elderly person who is not feeling mentally well?

Instructions

• Try to get him to question his negative thoughts in the same way that his mood questions his positive thoughts. Do it with love. If he says he feels unable to do anything right, ask him if he could do something to change the situation. If he says nothing interests him anymore, let him speak freely of its reasons without having to face them.

• Don’t let him spend the whole day doing nothing. Help her find small rewarding tasks that will make her feel useful.
• Promote positive emotions. Help him remember the good times of his life and all his accomplishments. Ask her for her opinion and tell her that you appreciate her wisdom and experience.
• Give him incentives to do activities, no matter how small they are. Morning walking, reading a book, gardening… whatever activity is a good thing.
• Help her get into a good routine. Grief and depression often make people stay in bed for a long time or watch TV for many hours. Try sitting down with him and rearranging the schedule together. But don’t forget that even if you get some ideas, let him have one last word. Otherwise, you need to monitor him constantly to make sure that happens.

You may find yourself to be the receiving party when you support the vulnerable. It can give your life purpose and greater meaning. And don’t be surprised if you also get more wisdom from it.

* Editor’s note: grief is defined as emotion and as such it does not last very long. In this article, we refer to grief as a state in which melancholy, despair, and grief themselves prevail rather than feeling per se.