"Caring for you...caring for others"

DEPRESSION
Kids Get it Too

The old idea that all children are basically happy isn't true, according to new studies. One in 33 children and one in eight teenagers suffer with depression. Depressed children have difficulty in school, with friends, and with their own families. Adolescents who become clinically depressed are also at a higher risk for drug and alcohol abuse problems.

If it's not caught and treated early, it can worsen with age. The suicide rate among children has tripled in the past 40 years.

Watch for depression if there is a family history of depression or mental illness, or if a child has been through a great deal of stress or trauma (from divorce, death, witnessing violence, abuse or illness).

TIP: Children aged 5-7 are likely to express depression by lying, swearing, stealing, physically attacking, or having bad tempers.

A healthy diet and exercise can help alleviate mild depression, but kids also need help with life skills. They need a parent, mentor, or professional to teach them problem-solving skills and healthy ways of looking at life situations they face. Seek professional help if you child's depression doesn't lift.

Note: Studies show half of children who had a grandparent and a parent with a history of depression have had an anxiety disorder.

• Seek help for the child if you notice these patterns:
• Frequent sadness
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Withdrawal form friends and activities
• Lack of enthusiasm or motivation
• Decreased energy level
• Major changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Increased irritability, agitation, anger or hostility
• Frequent physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches
• Indecision or inability to concentrate
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
• Pattern of of dark images in drawings
• Play that involves excessive aggression directed towards oneself or others, or involves persistently sad themes
• Recurring thoughts or talk of death, suicide, or self-destructive behavior

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How Much Sleep Does Your Child Get?

Because of increased homework loads and television, many kids aren't getting enough sleep. Elementary kids should get 10-11 hours per night. Without it, they can act out, have trouble focusing in school, and have added stress. Sleep is as important as a nutritious diet and exercise.

• To help kids get enough sleep, try the following:
• Pick a time for your child to be in bed every night, and try to stay within 15 minutes of that time.
• Eliminate TV for at least half an hour before bedtime
• Give kids a warning ten minutes before that it's almost bedtime.
• For older children, allow a period of reading in bed before "lights out."
• For younger children, have a bedtime routine that includes a warm bath followed by a story and a song.
• Give babies and toddlers a stuffed animal or small blanket that they associate with going to bed.
• Avoid any foods or drinks with sugar after dinnertime - sugar is a stimulant.

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Monthly Meetings

Fulton County Office for Aging
Grandparent Support Group
Monthly Meetings

Dates:

• January 10, 2006
• February 17, 2006
• March 17, 2006
• April 21, 2006
• May 19, 2006,
• June 16, 2006
• September 22, 2006
• October 20, 2006
• November 17, 2006
• December 22, 2006

The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group Meetings will be held in the conference room of the Fulton County Office for Aging, 19 N. William St., Johnstown, New York. It is suggested that the participants bring a bag lunch and the Office for Aging will provide light refreshments. Meetings held at 12 noon - 2 p.m.

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Taking Care of Yourself

Getting Slim Starts with a Good Breakfast
People who eat breakfast tend to eat healthier overall than those who skip breakfast. A recent study shows that adults who eat breakfast every day are half as likely to be obese as those who ate breakfast only twice week or less. The benefits were highest among people who ate whole grain cereal.*

Some fast and health breakfast options are:

• High fiber low-fat muffin with fruit and plain yogurt
• Oatmeal topped with fruit and skimmed milk

Shave of extra calories by substituting half & half with low fat milk in your coffee.

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Notice of Privacy Practices

Andrea Fettinger, BA, MEd, Director
Fulton County Office for Aging
19 North William Street, Johnstown, NY 12095
Phone: (518)736-5650, Fax: (518)762-0698
E-mail: fcofa@co.fulton.ny.us

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