My grandmother is extremely depressed. She is on a VA pension and they only allow 8 mental health visits before they cut you off. She cant afford a therapist otherwise.....she does nothing but lay around in bed ALL day...has NO friends.......doesnt even leave the house by herself. She totally isolates herself....i need to think of something constructive for her so she can get out and have a life!....any suggestions? (p.s.- she thinks the red hat society is stupid) LOL
2007-05-09 14:28:48 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Women's Health
Aah! I was gonna say the Red Hat Society! That's what my mom was thinking about joining! LOL.
Maybe something that got her doing something for somebody else. Maybe that would get her mind off herself and her problems for a while, and make her feel she was contributing something. Tell her about an opening for a volunteer in a soup kitchen, or a group who needs help organizing donations for their charity, or a quilting guild who makes lap quilts for wheelchair-bound people. Or get out her old photos and suggest that she start scrapbooking them as a family heirloom. Introduce her to Sudoku. Ask an active older lady you know, from church or work or something, to come visit with you, and politely excuse yourself from the room so they can chat for a while. You can make up an excuse why you've brought a visitor. Also, bringing a pet to visit can be very therapeutic.
If she's in good enough health for mild to moderate exercise, take walks with her. The sunshine and fresh air will do wonders.
My grandma suffered from depression also, and she kept saying she wanted God to take her. I asked her what she would do if God decided to keep her around another ten years? Would she want to spend them miserable, or would she rather take something to feel better?
Best wishes.
2007-05-09 15:28:17 · answer #1 · answered by hoff_mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she's depressed, it's probably a good idea for her to have a talk with a doctor so she can have something prescribed to help. If she's simply bored, there are many things she can do. A local Lion's Club, volunteer at a local hospital, my grandma does all of that and also goes to the local assisted living facility and does hair for the other ladies, there are many places to volunteer and meet other people. Between all these things, she's got something to do every day. Your grandma is only a couple years older than my mom though, and loneliness might be an issue. My mom belongs to lion's too and has met a lot of nice people!
2007-05-09 22:31:08 · answer #2 · answered by Momof3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your grandmother is too young to live as she is. You need to get her in to see her family doctor. He may be able to prescribe a mild antidepressant, so she can start feeling better, & want to get up & start doing things, like going to church, visit family, go to a movie, go out to eat. If you drive, she may have to lean on you to get her out of the house. Even just going out for a ride can do a world of good for her. A change in scenery can make her feel so much better. When you're with her, maybe you two could put puzzles together, or play cards, or other games. She needs to keep her mind busy. When was the last time she had her hair done professionally? That would make her feel better, I'm sure. You're a very thoughtful grandchild, for being so concerned about your grandmother. Does she have any family that can do things with her or for her? When is the last time any family member bought her some flowers?
2007-05-09 21:42:21 · answer #3 · answered by Shortstuff13 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try and get her to go for a walk every day 30 minutes. Its great for depression. She gets to have a look around her neighbourhood, offers the opportunity to talk to people and make friends, great for her health and helps heaps with depression.
2007-05-09 21:38:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Zoloft,and bingo. She may enjoy gardening, or getting involved in church groups. I know my mom and grandmother enjoy working at the clothes closet. It`s kinda like good will except it`s church run for the needy. They love people to volunteer.
2007-05-09 21:44:22 · answer #5 · answered by MISTY 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there a local VA hospital? Arrange for her to see a social worker. You can't do this alone!
2007-05-09 21:40:38 · answer #6 · answered by Rocky Raccoon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get her on a computer,show her this site ,let her go ...that oughtta do it ,its a start...
2007-05-10 01:03:53 · answer #7 · answered by Hana 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get her on Prozac - works for me.
2007-05-09 21:34:11 · answer #8 · answered by Lolipop 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋