Agape is a Greek word meaning “unconditional love.” Here at Senior Services Madison, we offer companionship services. We take pride in finding your loved one the right care professional. Our training manager will play matchmaker, providing your loved one with a care professional they will love. We want to get to know your loved one, and form an agape bond.
Often, we put our loved one’s physiological needs first, such as ensuring proper hygienic and medical care. As a result, we often overlook one of the most pressing needs: mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly 20% of older adults are affected by depression. Depression in this population is closely associated with increased dependency, disability, and a sense of isolation. Depression in older adults often goes untreated, since depressive symptoms are often mistaken as symptoms of disorders like Alzheimer’s, dementia, or arthritis. (Did you know: memory lapses are a symptom of depression too.)
If you think your loved one is suffering from depression, talk with their physician. Your loved one might be prescribed an antidepressant which might help enhance their quality of life. You might also consider looking into companionship. Having a companion working with your loved one regularly might help them adapt to changes and find motivation to participate in activities. An active, social mind is a healthy mind.