Depression in the Elderly

Depression in the elderly is a problem that largely goes unnoticed.  When caring for the elderly it is important to be on the look out for the signs of depression. Statistics show that depression among seniors is a growing problem in elder care, and elderly caregivers need to understand that life changes for seniors can trigger depression. Qualified geriatric care managers are equipped to deal with these issues and should be utilized by family members, friends or seniors themselves who may be dealing with elderly depression.  Managing life changes with professional assistance should be part of every one’s elder care plans.

Risks of Depression in the Elderly

Bereavement is a common factor of depression in the elderly.  The death of a spouse who has been a support system can be devastating for a senior even though we often see this as a normal stage of life.  The fact is people rarely talk about impending death with family members, have sufficient end of life plans and even plan for life after a the loss of a spouse. Sudden changes without adequate planning can alter the mental health of the elderly

Social Isolation is another risk for depression. Again we often think of the solitude which many seniors face as a normal part of the life process at that stage, but it doesn’t mean that everyone is equipped with proper coping mechanisms. Family moving away, loss of career or the simple fact that a social circle may began to suffer due to the death of friends can bring about social isolation leading to depression.

Deterioration of personal health or the health of a spouse can also lead to depression in the elderly because of the new challenges they face. Loss of mobility, reduction of independence and the need for assistance are things that can seriously change the mindset of a person and in some cases turn a happy person into someone who may feel like giving up.

All of these things can have attitude changing affects on seniors and the solutions often do not help the situation. Learning to go out and be social can cause anxiety for seniors who are used to a set life, and facing the facts regarding assisted living care or other geriatric care management can be stressful without proper guidance. Even drug therapies used for common chronic illnesses can have side effects which lead to or cause depression.

Symptoms of Elderly Depression

Symptoms of elderly depression are not unlike the symptoms of depression among other individuals. Changes in sleep patterns, irritability, loss of appetite and changes of physical appearance regarding weight and grooming are all signs a caregiver should look for.

Internal symptoms of depression can be extreme sadness, confusion, feelings of hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of suicide.

These actions and feelings are quite normal during periods of grief due to loss.  Loss can include the death of a spouse, a job, health or anything mental or physical which has been removed from a person’s life. However, as grief is normal, it is worked through in a reasonable amount of time. Depression lingers and requires action to cure it.

Treating Elderly Depression

Treating Elderly Depression is a very important part of elder care because depression will affect the quality of a senior’s life. The whole idea behind assisted living, geriatric care management and senior care services is to maintain or improve the quality of an individual’s life. So recognizing and treating depression is necessary.

Treatments may include drug therapy, counseling and possibly crisis management. Qualified mental health professionals can make the call regarding the most effective treatment or combination of treatments to best serve the patient.

Depression in the elderly is on the rise due to many factors. In fact, the suicide rates of individuals as they age is increasing at alarming rates. Suicides for people beginning at age 64 are higher than the numbers indicating for the general population. This increases further when people reach their 80’s.

Recognizing the existence of elderly depression and paying attention to it is paramount to any form of care management. It is part of the job of qualified geriatric care managers to asses the mental state of their clients and monitor changes over time or in crisis. This is one of the main reason involving professional senior care is so important when caring for aging parents. Geriatric care managers are available to help families with important decisions regarding in home care, assisted living care, end of life planning and maintaining the quality of life of loved ones.