Depression in Older Adults and Elderly

Depression in Older Adults and The Elderly

Depression has become a problem for many adults and the elderly. As we grow older, we face life changes with retirement, losing loved ones, medical problems, and increased isolation. Although we all age,it is important to know the signs so we can make the needed changes to continue enjoying our lives or help our loved ones to enjoy their lives.

Knowing the difference between grief and depression is important. Grief involves more than one emotion and goes up and down like a roller coaster, leaving you with feelings of gladness and sadness. Depression feels more like hopelessness and gloom.

Signs of Depression in older adults:

· Side effects of many commonly prescribed medications, especially taking multiple medications

· Sleep patterns change – too much or not enough

· Feelings of loneliness and isolation, hopelessness and helplessness

· Unexplained or aggravated aches and pains

· Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in people, or most activities, most of the day

· Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt

· Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness

· Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a plan, a suicide attempt, or a specific plan for committing suicide

Some seniors deny feeling sad, but may complain of lack of motivation or energy, unexplained aches and pains,memory problems, and irritability. They may neglect eating or taking their meds, or skipping hygiene routines.

Causes of depression in the elderly:

· Living alone, lack of mobility, including loss of ability to drive, loss of family members, friends, or pets

· Healthy problems, mental decline with dementiaor Alzheimer’s, chronic pain

· Feeling the loss of identity or purpose due to retirement or limitations

· Loneliness

· Medications

There is no evidence that says after a certain age you are not able to learn new skills; in fact the brain never stops changing so adults are just as able to learn new skills or adapting to change as younger people.

So laugh, get exercise, spend time with others, volunteer,learn a new skill, and find the help you need to feel better about your life.

Cana Counseling at Catholic Charities is a full-service counseling and mental and behavioral health program with locations and Wichita and Hutchinson. The program accepts Medicare and Medicaid and most commercial insurances, as well as private pay clients on a sliding fee scale.