How To Help Older Adults With Depression

Is Depression Common In Older Adults

Depression can happen to anyonefrom younger adults to older adults. However, contrary to what some may think, depression is not an automatic symptom of the aging process. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the National Institute of Aging, depression is not part of growing older, but older adults can be at increased risk for depression.

Depression in older adults, also referred to as geriatric depression, is certainly something to be aware of. However, while the risk is slightly higher, there are ways to help manage geriatric depression if it surfaces.

Promote A Sense Of Purpose

Struggle with depression is much tougher for people whove lost their sense of purpose in life.

To keep loneliness and brooding at bay, encourage the senior to take up a hobby such as knitting or gardening. You can also talk them into trying social pastime activities such as card playing, yoga, or volunteer work for a local charity.

Support Groups Are Not Only Meant For Fun Here Are Some Advantages Of Being A Part Of A Support Group:

Older adults with depression have usually lost all interest in life and often, also the will to live. Support groups help give them new hope and the will to carry out life with determination.

Some popular support groups for helping older adults with depression in India are:

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Signs And Symptoms Of Depression In Seniors

Depression in seniors may be easily missed and go untreated for many reasons. Other medical conditions or medication side effects may mimic symptoms of depression in elderly adults. Seniors may also be less willing to talk about their feelings to avoid the mental health stigma, or they may prioritize discussing depression symptoms that manifest as physical problems such as chronic pain or insomnia during a doctors visit.

In some cases, symptoms of depression in seniors may be different from typical depression symptoms in younger adults. While most people who are depressed experience sadness and anxiety for at least several weeks, other common signs and symptoms of depression in elderly adults may include:

• Apathy and fatigue
• Sleep problems, such as insomnia or sleeping excessively
• Anger, irritability, and sudden mood changes
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities they used to enjoy
• Confusion and difficulty with attention and concentration
• Changes in eating patterns, such as decreased appetite or overeating
• Aches and pains that dont get better with treatment
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Its natural to experience grief in the face of major life changes. But if your aging parent has symptoms of depression for several weeks or months, a visit to the doctor is warranted.

What Are Risk Factors Of Depression

There are many things that may be risk factors of depression. For some people, changes in the brain can affect mood and result in depression. Others may experience depression after a major life event, like a medical diagnosis or a loved ones death. Sometimes, those under a lot of stress especially people who care for loved ones with a serious illness or disability can feel depressed. Others may become depressed for no clear reason.

Research has shown that these factors are related to the risk of depression, but do not necessarily cause depression:

• Medical conditions, such as stroke or cancer
• Genes people who have a family history of depression may be at higher risk
• Functional limitations that make engaging in activities of daily living difficult
• Addiction and/or alcoholism included in Substance-Induced Depressive Disorder

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How Common Is Depression In Older Adults

Depression is less common in older adults than in younger adults, but deserves special attention in older adults. According to Fiske, A., Wetherell, J. L., & Gatz, M. , older adults experience major depression at the following rates:

• 1-5% of people 65 and older living in community
• 10-12% of older adults in the hospital
• 13.5% of people who require home health care
• 14 to 42% of residents living in long-term care communities

If youre caring for older adults with medical problems and who receive home health assistance for medical problems, or are in the hospital or have recently been in the hospital, its important that you are aware of the signs and symptoms so that you have the tools you need to help older adults get the care they need.

Look For Subtle Signs

Read up on and get a clear understanding of depression. Signs of distress may involve wringing hands excessively, getting agitated or irritable, or having difficulty sitting still. Older adults often do not say they feel sad or lonely because they don’t want to be a burden on the family. Other possible signs include loss of appetite or interest in activities that they used to enjoy for more than two weeks.

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Medical Conditions That Can Cause Elderly Depression

Its important to be aware that medical problems can cause depression in older adults and the elderly, either directly or as a psychological reaction to the illness. Any chronic medical condition, particularly if it is painful, disabling, or life-threatening, can lead to depression or make your depression symptoms worse.

These include:

• Multiple sclerosis

Seniors And Depression: Information You Need To Know

We all feel down or sad from time to time. But when the feeling wont go away and you start to lose interest in the things you enjoy you could be experiencing symptoms of depression.

About seven per cent of people over the age of 65 show some symptoms of depression. Around two per cent experience moderate or severe depression and around five per cent experience mild depression. The moderate or severe forms are much more common among elderly people living in care homes , or those who have dementia . Depression in people over 65 seems to be less common than it is in younger groups.

Depression is a serious illness, especially for seniors. Seniors who have recently been moved to a care home or hospital, spend a lot of time alone, are experiencing health problems, or have recently lost a loved one may be at increased risk of depression.

The earlier it is detected, the easier it can be to treat. The most important thing to remember is that depression is treatable. If you are exhibiting symptoms of depression, book an appointment with your physician immediately.

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Family History Of Depression

Older adults whose family members have a history of depression may also be at risk of experiencing depressive symptoms themselves. Its important to know your family medical history and discuss any past medical or mental health problems with a primary care physician so they can practice preventive care awareness.

Note: To learn more about primary care or preventive care practices, visit this source.

What Is Geriatric Therapy

Geriatrics is âa branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and the medical care and treatment of agingâ .

Geriatric mental health therapy is focused on the psychological and emotional needs of individuals over the age of 60. Geriatric mental health is a burgeoning area in need of attention, as nearly one out of five elderly Americans experience at least one mental health disorder .

According to the World Health Organization , around 15% of the geriatric population worldwide has a mental health disorder.

The high rates of psychological problems among older people are related to declining health and mobility, cognitive impairment, financial stress, chronic pain, elder abuse, and loneliness .

The outcomes of these risk mechanisms are disproportionate rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use issues among the elderly . And since adequate mental health treatment is less likely among older people with psychiatric problems , accessing and treating mental health issues among geriatric populations is of immediate importance.

Fortunately, there are various effective approaches to treat mental health disorders among the elderly.

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How To Help An Elderly Person With Depression: Tips For Family Caregivers

Kendra could tell that her father was suffering. Hed dropped several pounds in the last few months, never changed out of his robe, and kept canceling their weekly lunch date at his favorite fish and chips restaurant. His once infectious energy and zest for life had all but disappeared, and she no longer recognized the man who stood before her.

All she wanted was for her father to feel better, but Kendra didnt know how to breach the subject of his mental health with him, or what kind of treatment he would be most receptive to. She felt stuck she just wanted to help but didnt know how.

Many family caregivers, like Kendra, feel powerless, because they dont know how to help an elderly person with depression. While every situation is different, there are a few things to try that can really make a difference for them. For instance, employing techniques to help them engage more in their daily lives and working with them to find suitable treatment options are both key for their path to better mental health. Lets look at some specific, simple things you can try to make their daily lives easier and discuss various treatment options that might be helpful.

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How To Help A Depressed Parent

If you think your aging loved one is depressed, the first step is to seek help. If your parent is diagnosed with depression, their doctor can offer treatment options to help.

You can also help a loved one with depression by:

• Staying connectedLoneliness and isolation can contribute to depression. If youre unable to be physically close, use creativity and technology to help strengthen your bond.
• Getting active togetherPhysical activity is a powerful tool to prevent and treat depression. Invite your parent to go for regular walks, or suggest a yoga or tai chi class you can try together.
• Improving sleepLack of sleep can lead to depression. If your loved one has insomnia or sleep problems, its important to get treatment.

Senior living prevents loneliness by providing opportunities for activities that allow seniors to spend time with friends and peers. If your loved one needs help with daily activities or simply desires a maintenance-free lifestyle and a sense of community, talk to our Senior Living Advisors about local, affordable senior living options.

Espinoza R.T. Diagnosis and management of late-life unipolar depression. .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Depression is not a normal part of growing older. .

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What Stops Some Depressed Seniors From Getting Help

In the 65 and older age bracket, only 38% of adults believe that depression is a medical problem, and only 42% say they would seek help from a medical professional, according to Mental Health America.

There are some myths that may inhibit older adults and their care providers from seeking help for depression. They include:

• Prolonged sadness is inevitable because aging is hard.
• Symptoms must be due to some other health problem, like dementia.
• I should be able to snap out of it.

Cultural background can also be a driving force in whether older adults will seek help for mental health issues.

Mental Health America suggests Black Americans may not report symptoms if they view mental illness as weakness and treatment as a luxury.

Meanwhile, the suicide rate among white men 85 years old and older is the highest of any other demographic nearly four times larger than that of the broader population. Some think this might be because older white males believe that reaching out for help is a sign of weakness.

Older adults who are religious may see depression as a lack of faith. This can prevent them from seeking mental health help for symptoms of depression.

Depression is not connected to a lack of willpower. Life situations, medical conditions, and medications can all contribute to depression in older adults.

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What Puts Older Adults At Risk For Depression

Both older and younger adults go through the same major life changes or challenges that may trigger depression. These include medical problems, life events, and having a family history of depression.

But some events are more common in older adults. This includes things like losing a spouse, living with a long-term health problem, or leaving a home you’ve lived in for years. And like others who experience a life change, older adults may feel sad and may grieve and recover, or they may develop depression.

Some older adults are more likely to be depressed than other older adults. Those who are more likely include:

• Those who’ve lost their partner.
• Those who don’t have friends or family to support them.
• Those who’ve had a medical problem such as a heart attack, stroke, or broken hip or who have chronic pain.
• Those who are increasing their use of alcohol.

How Is Depression Different For Older Adults

• Older adults are at increased risk. We know that about 80% of older adults have at least one chronic health condition, and 50% have two or more. Depression is more common in people who also have other illnesses or whose function becomes limited.
• Older adults are often misdiagnosed and undertreated. Healthcare providers may mistake an older adults symptoms of depression as just a natural reaction to illness or the life changes that may occur as we age, and therefore not see the depression as something to be treated. Older adults themselves often share this belief and do not seek help because they dont understand that they could feel better with appropriate treatment.

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Risk Factors For Mental Health Problems Among Older Adults

There may be multiple risk factors for mental health problems at any point in life. Older people may experience life stressors common to all people, but also stressors that are more common in later life, like a significant ongoing loss in capacities and a decline in functional ability. For example, older adults may experience reduced mobility, chronic pain, frailty or other health problems, for which they require some form of long-term care. In addition, older people are more likely to experience events such as bereavement, or a drop in socioeconomic status with retirement. All of these stressors can result in isolation, loneliness or psychological distress in older people, for which they may require long-term care.

Mental health has an impact on physical health and vice versa. For example, older adults with physical health conditions such as heart disease have higher rates of depression than those who are healthy. Additionally, untreated depression in an older person with heart disease can negatively affect its outcome.

Older adults are also vulnerable to elder abuse – including physical, verbal, psychological, financial and sexual abuse abandonment neglect and serious losses of dignity and respect. Current evidence suggests that 1 in 6 older people experience elder abuse. Elder abuse can lead not only to physical injuries, but also to serious, sometimes long-lasting psychological consequences, including depression and anxiety.

How Older Adults Can Protect Their Mental Health

While there is no foolproof way to prevent depression from occurring, there are still a few things older adults can do to protect and improve their mental health. Some examples include:

• Staying active: it can be easy for older adults to avoid continuing to exercise or stay as active as they did when they were younger. However, older adults can still maintain a healthy lifestyle by engaging in exercise programs designed for older adults, taking walks, or doing light physical labor .

• Making healthy lifestyle changes: if a person is engaged in substance abuse, poor diet, or other self-sabotaging behaviors, making lifestyle changes can make a difference in their overall mental health.

Note: Oak Street Health partners with services such as Meals on Wheels that allow nutritious, healthy meals to be delivered at home for those with limited mobility or who are unable to care for themselves. To learn more about the Meals on Wheels program, visit this resource.

• Staying connected: finding a community to be part of and being social can significantly impact a persons ability to protect their mental health. Joining a club, practicing hobbies, or making consistent plans to spend time with friends are all great ways to stay connected. Places such as community centers and senior centers can be great options for finding classes and communities to join. The U.S. Administration on Aging has this resource that helps older adults find senior centers and communities nearby.

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