elderly mother's depression increasing

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2003
elderly mother's depression increasing
Tue, 11-25-2003 - 1:56pm
This is my first post to this board.

My mother is 84. She's been on antidepressants for about 2.5 years. In the last week she's really gone down hill. I'm going to have her and my father stay with me (and DH, DS, DD) for a few days. I'm hoping that the change of scenery and some companionship (other than my father) will help her out.

Her pdoc told her to increase her Xanax dosage. All she wants to do is sleep, I'm wondering how taking a sedative is going to make it any better. I think she is already on the highest dosage for her antidepressant.

I know that she won't get better overnight, but I'm hoping you can give me some suggestions for helping her to cope. I don't want to push her, but I don't want to let her melt into bed either. Should I wait on her hand and foot? Should I encourage her to get up and around? Other than the depression, she's in good health and still active. Any suggestions you have would be appreciated.

KL