Depression is a true and treatable medical condition, not a normal part of growing older. However aging adults are at an increased risk for experiencing depression, especially if they are homebound or have multiple illnesses. If you have concerns that a loved one may be depressed, offer to go with them to see a health care provider to be diagnosed and treated. If you are a Home Care Giver, contact the client’s relatives and open the lines of communication.
Growing Older… How Do I Know If It’s Depression?
Feelings of sadness or anxiety that last for weeks at a time may be signs of depression. He or she may also experience:
- Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
- Irritability, restlessness
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once considered fun
- Fatigue or decreased energy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details or making decisions
- Insomnia, waking up too early, or excessive sleeping
- Overeating or loss of appetite
- Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
- Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not get better, even with treatment
How is Depression Different for Seniors?
- 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 (such as heart disease or cancer) or whose function becomes limited.
- Seniors are often misdiagnosed and undertreated. Healthcare providers may mistake an older adult’s symptoms of depression as just a natural reaction to illness or the life changes that may occur as we start growing older, and therefore not see the depression as something to be treated. Seniors themselves often share this belief and do not seek help because they don’t understand that they could feel better with appropriate treatment.
What Percentage of Older Adults Are Depressed?
The good news is that the majority of seniors are not depressed. Some estimates of major depression in older people living in the community range from less than 1% to about 5% but rise to 13.5% in those who require home healthcare and to 11.5% in older hospital patients.
How Do I Find Help?
Most older adults see an improvement in their symptoms when treated with antidepressant drugs, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. If you are concerned about a loved one being depressed, offer to go with them to see a health care provider for diagnoses and treatment.
If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please seek help immediately.
- Call 911
