Depression...

I often get the question, wouldn’t my loved one be more depressed living in a skilled nursing facility?  In the community often times individuals become isolated and that attributes to their depression.  FYI 20% of elderly living in community have depression.  Depression is often mistaken for normal aging, but that is incorrect.  Some symptoms include: complaints of aches and pains, feeling of sadness or loneliness, interference with ordinary daily activities, weight loss, and lastly confusion and memory loss.  Skilled Nursing Facilities and even assisted livings are designed to give individuals social interaction which we all crave/need for our well-being. Interaction with others occurs during meals, activities, with roommates, and even in the beauty shop.  Living within a structured environment with set meals and activities, gives someone a reason to get up in the morning!