Improving Mood of Senior Loved Ones
One of the most popular concerns caregivers have is that their senior is “always in a bad mood.” As much as they try to make them feel better, they are stuck in this miserable state. This can make it difficult to be with the person, and even more upsetting when there’s no choice but be with the person for most of the day. Improving Mood Senior Loved Ones
Causes of Bad Mood in Seniors
Before tackling changing the mood of your senior loved one, it’s important to learn what the cause of it could be.
Stress
If your loved one is under stress (this can be physical, emotional, financial, etc.), it will be much harder for him to smile and be happy. It’s hard to be positive when it seems like life is one challenge after another.
Health
A bad mood can be a sign of physical or mental decline. As the body gets older, it has a harder time keeping up and that can be tiring. This exhaustion often comes through as a bad mood.
Medication
A potential side effect of medication is bad mood. It’s also possible that the side effects can cause the user to be in a bad mood. For example, if headache, upset stomach, and dry mouth are side effects of a medication that can be frustrating and cause the senior to be in a bad mood.
Personality
Some seniors are in a bad mood because that’s just the way they are – it’s part of their personality. There are just some people who cannot see the positives in their life and refuse to be happy with the world around them. There’s not much that can be done when someone’s personality causes them to be in a bad mood.
What to Do About It
Understanding the cause of the bad mood can help you put things in better perspective. You’re able to see that it’s not really your loved one, but what is happening to him – unless it’s his personality.
To help lift the spirits of your loved one, try to turn him away from what is causing the bad mood. For example, if it’s stress, try to fill his time with activities he will enjoy. If it’s health related or medication, see if you can speak to the doctor about it. Treatment for a condition or medication changes can help turn a bad mood into a good one. If it’s personality, you’ll need to get a little more creative. Don’t try to change who your loved one is because it will just make the situation worse. What you can do take it in small doses. When spending time with your loved one, try to remain positive yourself. When you feel your energy dwindling because of the misery of your loved one, step away. Take a break and talk to a friend who is usually in a good mood.
As hard as it is to step away from your loved one when he is in a bad mood, know that being stuck is going to affect your mood, and that’s not fair to you. It might be beneficial to speak to a personal consultant like Kendall Van Blarcom when you’re faced with the effects of your loved one’s mood. He has a lot of experience working with people who are going through exactly what you are.
If you feel that your loved one just needs someone to speak to that will help him turn his mood around, Kendall has experience in that too. As a marriage and family therapist for many years, he has been able to help many people improve their lives.
Contact him today for more information on how personal consulting can help you or your senior loved one.
Kendall Van Blarcom
www.KvanB.com
