How Can You Help a Senior with Bipolar Disorder?

Is your loved one suffering from bipolar disorder? Bipolar Disorder is a mental health disorder that many people, regardless of age, suffer from. This brain disorder can cause changes in individual’s mood, emotions, and behavior randomly. Your loved one may feel overly happy now while sad and depressed a few minutes later. Taking care of a senior family member suffering from a bipolar disorder can become challenging and frustrating for you.

If you have a senior family member at home who is Bipolar, here are some tips that can help. 

• Learn about the disorder – In order to provide the best care and support to your aging parent, it is important for you to have a clear understanding of the disorder, including the common signs and symptoms. The more you know about the disorder, the better you will be able to understand your senior family member’s needs and requirements.  

• Get professional help – It is advisable to get professional help as soon as the disorder is diagnosed. The right treatment and support from professionals, as well as the family members, can help in treating the disorder well. Their doctor will most likely prescribe medication to manage the symptoms of the bipolar disorder. Just make sure that your senior family member takes the prescribed dosage on time.

• Be patient – Recovery may take time and they may not completely return to how they were before. You need to be patient with their changing behavior and the needs of your aging loved one. Open and effective communication can help you in providing the proper care. Talk to your senior family member, learn their concerns, feeling, and needs soyou will be able to provide the required support and assistance as they need it. 

However, if you are unable to look after the needs of your aging loved one suffering from this disorder, consider hiring professional help in the form of caregivers. An experienced in-home care provider will look after your senior family member’s safety in your absence and ensure proper medication management. 

When looking for In-Home Caregivers in Contra Costa County, contact Always Best Care. For more information, call (925) 210-0323 today.