Depression, UGG!

Though perhaps more commonly associated with teenagers, depression can be a serious issue among aging people. Everyone feels sad or low sometimes, but these feelings usually pass. Depression can be called major depression or major depressive disorder, or clinical depression. These different types are different. Depression can cause severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Not every person among us suffers from serious depression, if it does happen, it can also be hard to detect. The information in this article is just for your light information and if you or a loved one suspects depression has moved in please see a specialist. Cases of depression when seen in the elderly may be masked by other symptoms or the condition may simply be missed if you don’t spend extensive time with your senior loved ones. Read on for some ways to recognize the signs of depression in seniors and how you can support them through challenging times.

Signs Of Depression

1. Claims of physical pain

Seniors themselves are often poor at noticing or reporting their depression. They may say they are not sad at all, and interpret their depression as lack of energy, headaches or arthritis pain. If a senior complains of pain frequently where there is no apparent cause, it will often be an issue of depression.

2. Constant feelings of despair

Sadly, seniors often have things to feel legitimately sad about. Grief is a frequent companion of the elderly, whether it’s the loss of a loved one, of your health, your career, or your lifestyle. But grief is a roller coaster—you have good days and bad days, and hopefully, your grief eventually subsides to a dull ache and you can go back to enjoying life. With depression, instead it’s bad day after bad day with little relief.

3. Cognitive decline

While there are medical reasons for cognitive decline in seniors, especially dementia, cognitive decline in depressed seniors presents differently. With dementia, the decline happens slowly and the individual may become confused and disoriented about time and place. People who are depressed may suddenly experience cognitive difficulties and may struggle to concentrate or remember things, but they still know who and where they are and are aware that they are struggling cognitively.

Cope With Depression

If you notice your senior loved one seems to be exhibiting symptoms of depression, there are a few things you can do to help, including:

1. Symptoms – What Are Those?

It’s easy to dismiss a depressed senior as just a “cranky grump,” or a “chronic complainer,” but there’s a big difference between the occasional elderly gripe and a serious mood problem. Make sure the senior in your life feels heard and let them know you understand that they are going through something significant and trying.

2. Talk Feelings

Listen to the senior in your life about how they are dealing with feelings of sadness and loss and what it means to them. Don’t try to solve all their problems, but do let them know they have someone to talk to.

3. Empower Their Independence

As we get older, there will be many things that we have difficulty doing for ourselves the way we used to. But hopefully there will still be many things we can do and enjoy on our own. Don’t take that away from your senior loved one, even if it seems easier or nicer. Let them have as much of their independence as possible.

4. Depression Is An Illness Which Has A Solution

Don’t tell your senior loved one to just “buck up,” or “get over it.” Help them get the treatment they need, whether it’s medication, talk therapy, other types of therapy, or a combination of these. For more information on helping seniors live more independent, fulfilling lives, visit the Golden Placements blog regularly.    

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