Lakehouse Sheboygan Blogs

Coping Mechanisms for Depression in Senior Living

Written by Discovery Senior Living | Apr 23, 2025 4:00:00 AM

Sagapixel reports that the number of people living in assisted living communities could grow to around 2 million by 2040, which is more than twice the current number. These communities offer comfortable and safe environments, promoting physical and mental wellness for seniors.

Moving into an assisted living community brings both new opportunities and emotional struggles that seniors may not have expected. Feelings of loss of independence and isolation may escalate, affecting senior mental health.

That's why, at LakeHouse Sheboygan, we aim to help older adults develop effective coping mechanisms for depression. Located at 1231 Eisner Avenue, Sheboygan, WI 53083, we offer compassionate depression support to help residents enjoy wellness.

Discover coping mechanisms for depression that support emotional wellness and help seniors stay grounded and engaged.

Understanding Depression In Older Adults

Depression is a mental health condition that many mistake for a normal part of aging. Depressed older adults often struggle with persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and worthlessness.

Depression in older adults may come in the form of:

  • Persistent depressive disorder
  • Bipolar depressive disorder
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Depression in seniors can start for the first time in old age or continue from earlier mental health issues. If left untreated, depression can worsen your elderly loved one's health and threaten their quality of life.

Depression exacerbates other underlying health conditions, such as:

  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Respiratory disease

Depression in senior living communities may result from:

  • Feelings of isolation and loneliness
  • A family history of depression
  • Loss of a friend or spouse
  • Transitioning from work to retirement
  • Fear of death

Symptoms of Depression in Older Adults

Recognizing the symptoms of depression in seniors helps ensure your elderly loved one receives the right care promptly. You prevent their conditions from worsening and making them suicidal.

You can also develop effective care strategies to support your loved one's mental well-being. Depression in seniors causes mental, behavioral, and physical symptoms. LakeHouse Sheboygan has a dedicated, compassionate health and wellness team that monitors residents and identifies any signs of depression early.

Some cognitive symptoms of depression in older adults include:

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory problems, like difficulty remembering information
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Declined problem-solving ability

Physical symptoms of depression in seniors include:

  • Fatigue
  • Changes in appetite
  • Changes in body weight
  • Physical aches and pains
  • Insomnia or oversleeping
  • Slowed movement or speech

Common behaviors a depressed older adult may show include:

  • Social withdrawal
  • Persistent anxiety
  • Loss of interest in hobbies
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Increased alcohol and substance use
  • Neglecting personal care

Emotional Care in Assisted Living

Emotional care in assisted living communities like LakeHouse Sheboygan helps residents feel connected, valued, and joyful. A supportive community can effectively address your aging loved one's emotional, mental, and social well-being.

Comprehensive emotional care in assisted living includes various mechanisms to help residents cope with depression.

Personalized Care Plans

The compassionate, professional staff at LakeHouse Sheboygan offers individualized emotional support. We quickly address residents' needs and concerns to ensure they feel heard and understood.

For personalized emotional support, LakeHouse Sheboygan staff ensures:

  • One-on-one companionship
  • Grief and loss of support
  • Emotional check-ins
  • Gentle reassurance and comfort

Our community also helps depressed seniors stay connected to their families through:

  • Family visitations
  • Celebration events
  • Scheduled video calls
  • Scheduled phone calls
  • Letters and emails

LakeHouse Sheboygan understands that various day-to-day tasks may be mentally overwhelming to seniors. To relieve residents of this burden, we assist them with the following:

  • Medication management
  • Washing
  • Dressing
  • Bathing
  • Toileting
  • Grooming

Socialization

Senior living communities provide friendly, comfortable environments for residents to socialize and forge new friendships. Socialization helps new residents overcome isolation and loneliness.

Staying socially connected makes it easier to forget what's making you sad and stressed. You can share jokes and laughter with new friends, countering depressive thoughts. This can improve your mood and alleviate cognitive symptoms of depression.

Socialization in senior living fosters a sense of belonging and comfort. This creates an environment where residents feel comfortable discussing their feelings and seeking emotional support.

A sense of purpose can help your older adult redefine their identity. They can participate in memoir writing, storytelling, or workshops to nurture their personal identity. Such activities alleviate depression by promoting autonomy, self-control, and emotional intelligence.

LakeHouse Sheboygan helps residents stay socially connected through:

  • Movie nights
  • Exercises like chair aerobics
  • Shared dining experiences
  • Yoga
  • Walking groups
  • Holiday celebrations

Active Lifestyle

An active lifestyle will help stimulate your aging loved one's brain. It can boost their mood and promote emotional stability.

Participating in social outings, gardening, and fitness classes has other physical benefits, such as:

  • Enhanced balance and flexibility
  • Reduced body weight
  • Improved coordination
  • Improved sleep

These benefits enhance overall body comfort. They stimulate the release of feel-good hormones and reduce cortisol -- a stress hormone

Maintaining an active lifestyle in senior living causes the brain to produce neurotransmitters. Dopamine and serotonin help regulate mood, alleviate pain, and create a perception of comfort.

They improve alertness and relieve anxiety, helping seniors easily manage depression. An assisted living community like LakeHouse Sheboygan has an activity calendar to promote a structured routine.

A routine helps eliminate uncertainty and promote predictability. It also enhances flexibility by enabling seniors to plan their schedules. A structured routine gives seniors a sense of purpose and reinforces self-care habits.

A Healthy Diet

Seniors with depression can benefit from a healthy, brain-boosting diet. Healthy diets help balance sugar levels in seniors, preventing mood swings and energy crashes.

Foods with anti-inflammatory properties alleviate chronic inflammation, which causes depression. Senior living communities provide nutritious meals consisting of brain foods like:

  • Whole grains
  • Eggs
  • Fatty fish
  • Avocados
  • Coffee
  • Vegetables
  • Blueberries

Coping Mechanisms for Depression in Seniors: Achieving Wellness in Aging

Aging and emotions are connected since life changes in later years can strongly affect how seniors feel and handle daily life. A supportive community like LakeHouse Sheboygan will help you rediscover joy and purpose through effective coping mechanisms for depression.

Our community offers participation in local festivals like the Sheboygan Kite Festival, Freedom Fest, and Harvest Fest. You'll enjoy Sheboygan's vibrant cultural scene, live entertainment, and natural surroundings, which help alleviate depressive feelings.

Contact us to learn how our vibrant lifestyle promotes wellness in old age.