Mom also has a kidney problem which is stable .She sees the Doctor every month for checkups. I have someone come in every day from 8.30 to 2.pm to give her a bath, breakfast and lunch as she feels she cannot do it. after that she lies down until I get home at 7.00 pm to give her dinner. She would not get up and help her self.
I know it's maddening to know she lies around all day, but there is only so much you can do. If she isn't complaining then let it go...if she is complaining, then tell her you'll help but she has to meet you halfway...which means getting on the senior center bus and spending the afternoon there.
To the person who wrote drugs are not the answer -- Thank GOD for drugs. I know depression (you can't just snap out of it). Drugs were the answer for people in my family. My mother, age 89, was put on her first course of anti depressants during her stay at a facility. She was placed on three, one of which is called a 'black box drug' (ooooooo......'scary stuff') Not.
The reason I asked if this person's mom showed depression throughout her life (in retrospect) was to find out if this was 'normal' for her mother. In retrospect, my mother was depressed her entire life....once she was on the drugs for six weeks, she improved TREMENDOUSLY! I repeat TREMENDOUSLY...
My mother didn't fall because she was dizzy...she fell because she was focused on getting on the examining table at the doctor's office and chose to step up on a step, falling backwards.
Not all drugs cause dizziness.
Now, I'm into aromatherapy, I'm into 'good' food, but I'm also open to DRUGS.
For the most part, drugs are herbs.
Once again, Thank GOD for drugs. Without them, many people would have died years ago. Sure, 'wholesome food' may be the answer, but the people we're talking about do NOT and probably never did eat wholesome food.
Apparently, the original poster has left us...haven't really read through all the posts) BUT I'm going to ask the question again....
1. Has your mother (in retrospect) always been depressed?
2. Have you taken her to a psychiatrist for an evaluation?
Some people are just quiet. Some people are just introverts.
There is nothing wrong with that. However, if something can be fixed through therapy and/or drugs, I say go for it. At this age, there is nothing left to lose.
It isn't that I disagree with other posters - depression is worth treating and does need to be looked out for, but inertia on its own isn't definitively diagnostic. If your mother has kidney disease, that in itself causes significant fatigue. All I mean to say is, do make adequate allowance for her being plain tired, too.
2. Has your mother been diagnosed by a psychiatrist?
Low B12 can be an issue with elders since it's hard to absorb even when the diet is good, so B12, too, should be checked.
Finding a balance for her is what you want since she may not be the type to enjoy a big social life. Yet, what she's doing isn't good, either.
There are some excellent suggestions and opinions on this thread so I'd read through them and then make an appointment with both her own doctor for a B12 check and other blood work plus a psychiatrist who works with elderly people so he or she knows that medications may or may not be the issues.
Another thing about medications - have a doctor review what she's now taking since some drugs can cause depression. It's a huge puzzle for many - this interplay between health issues and the good/bad of medications. Please keep us tuned in.
Carol
Second- I agree to get her out of the home. Sounds like you have a caregiver who you've hired to help her. If you live in a warm state, get your mom outside.
Even going to the mall for a walk is good therapy and its out of the house. Have your CG include activities and "exercise" as part of her daily routine. This does not mean barbells and weights, just staying active. Start w walking around house or marching in place. 5 mins is all you need to start. 5 minutes for 5 days is 25 mins. Then next week try 8-10. Obviously nothing strenuous or dangerous for her abilities. Mix up the activies so it's not boring. Do you have zoos, parks, malls, grocery stores the CG could take her. Find things your mom used to enjoy and perhaps some happiness will come from breaking up the routine.
Good luck and keep a positive smile on when you talk with her.
Sell this not as exercise, she does not need to know u are even doing this. Just trying to find stuff outside the home she might enjoy.
Written on my phone and I can't review it. Sorry for any typos or silly sentences.
Is this a new thing, or has it been going on for a while? Has anything changed in her immediate world recently? Tell us more so we can give you better answers.