Treatment Options for the Depressed Elderly Patient

Doctors may design a treatment plan that focuses on several key treatment options when addressing the needs of their elderly patients.

Treatments have been shown to be very effective for the older patient if the diagnosis is made early on in the depression. It must be noted that treatment does take longer to have an effect on the elderly and combating the potential increased risk for suicide must be addressed and headed off by any medical profession coming into contact with the elderly.

Treatment options are effective solo or in combination with each other. The various methods of treatment are as follows:

Antidepressants:

Medications in this category have been shown to be very effective in the treatment of depression in the elderly patient. The risk of potential side-effects or adverse reaction to other medications that they are taking is great and must be guarded against.

Caution must be exercised if prescribing any of the older antidepressants such as amitriptyline or imipramine as they can have a sedating effect that will cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. This sudden drop in blood pressure can lead to fainting and the risk for falls and fractures. A sudden drop in blood pressure is also not desired in the individual with a history of cardiac disease.

Psychotherapy:

Self-help or group therapy has been shown to be very effective in the older individual suffering from depression. Support from family and friends are also critical to the well-being of the depressed elderly individual. Psychotherapy is indicated when medications are refused or counterindicated. Drug therapy in combination with psychotherapy increases the effectiveness of the psychotherapy.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT):

This treatment option can play an important role in the recovery process for those who are elderly and depressed. It is especially useful when an elderly individual is unable to take medications due to reactions with other drug therapy they are undergoing.

ECT involves sending electronic current through a portion of the brain for a brief period of time. This treatment option is usually utilized when the patient is faced with a life threatening depression or when the patient has no other options such as medications to turn to for relief or when medications have not been effective in bringing adequate relief.

The electrical stimulation from ECT causes an approximate 30 second seizure withing the brain. Several sessions of ECT are required to receive the desired benefit from the treatment.

ECT may cause some memory impairment following the treatments.

Difficulties Encountered With Treatment:

The generations of elderly patients that are currently being seen are those for whom the stigma of mental illness had the greatest impact. Mental illness among family members was hushed and ignored even to the point of shunning the depressed member. Mental illness was seen as a sign of weakness of character and not a disease. This stigma creates a hesitancy to report symptoms of depression or to seek medical attention. This puts pressure on the medical professional to recognize the signs and symptoms and then to initiate the conversation about the possibility of depression in a manner that will elicit the greatest possibility of success.

The lack of understanding regarding depression in the elderly and the successful cure rate also keeps people ignorant of the possibilities.

The elderly individual may also hesitate to contact a doctor regarding depression in fear of the potential medication cost. Many of our elderly citizens are already faced with an overwhelming prescription cost crisis and adding to it will be an understandable fear.

It should also be realized that any alcohol or other chemical substance abuse can severely hinder the effectiveness of depression medications.

What to Expect When Seeking Help For Elderly Depression

Whether you realize yourself that something is amiss or you are visiting your physician at the urging of a trusted friend, family member or perhaps caregiver, what to expect when seeking help for elderly depression is most likely on the forefront of your mind. Perhaps no other medical condition is so fraught with stigma and lore as that of depression and thus it is not at all surprising to have been exposed to a plethora of urban legends and other less than believable statements about potential treatment options.

Fortunately, seeking help for elderly depression is much like seeking help for any other ailment that is not readily visible to the naked eye. For example, when you have a wound or broken bone, the damage is usually visible to even the most novice of treating interns and thus very little background information is required. Yet an illness such as Lupus or type 2 diabetes requires a bit more background and will require the doctor to investigate a number of possible avenues prior to successfully and assuredly diagnosing the illness.

The same holds true for depression. It cannot be readily seen with the naked eye and thus it needs to be ferreted out by something akin to a process of elimination. Consider the fact that fatigue which you are experiencing may also be a secondary symptom for other illnesses, and thus your physician wants to make sure that she or he does not treat you for one problem when in truth you are actually suffering from another!

Your doctor's appointment will most likely start with a full physical examination that includes blood work. The doctor will sit down with you and ask you about your symptoms, when they began, for how long you have noticed them, whether or not they appear to change in severity, and if you have ever experienced something like them before in your life. If you have a history of bouts with depression, your doctor will also ask you what treatments have helped you in the past, and which did not seem to do the trick.

Furthermore, your physician will ask about your family's medical history, and may also begin a rudimentary assessment with respect to your memory, any loss thereof, your current frame of mind, and also what your goals are. She or he will answer any and all questions you may have with respect to elderly depression and you will be surprised to learn just how much this information differs from that which you may have overheard at the church social.

Your primary care physician will then most likely refer you to a psychiatrist or perhaps a psychologist. Even though your doctor does have the power to prescribe medication and monitor its effectiveness, there is little reason to not have a specialist do so. Just like you would not take your cherry red Corvette convertible to a Volvo mechanic for a tune up, you should also not consider it odd to have your depression treated by someone who has undergone special training in the field! Instead, if your physician appears unsure how to proceed, ask for the referral yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised to have a psychiatrist refer you to a psychologist for talking therapy rather than prescribe any antidepressants!

How You Can Find Really Great Retirement Communities

There are so many great retirement communities out there that you have to choose from, however, often times people wonder as to just how they can go about finding these great retirement communities for those that they love.

Retirement is a very special part of a person's life, and so if you care about them then you want to make sure that they are taken care of as best as possible, and this means you taking the time and effort that is required in order to find the best retirement communities that you possibly can.

Finding Those Great Retirement Communities

When you are trying to find great retirement communities, then one of the first things that you are going to want to do is make a list of all the different options that are available in your local area or in the area that you are looking for, and this way at least you know what you have to choose from to begin with.

Then what you are going to want to do next is start comparing between the options that you are listed, and in order to properly compare between them you are going to have to do several things. For instance, one thing that you are going to want to do is make appointments which each different place so that you can go in and speak to the head personnel there and get an idea as to what the specific community is all about.

You want to make sure that you speak to the staff, see what they think of the place and of working there, and also take a look at the retirees that are already living there, and talk to them to see whether or not they like the place.

As long as the people are all honest, then you are really going to be able to get a great idea as to how good each place is, and this is when you will start narrowing down the choices. Once you are down to a select few, then you are going to want to more carefully compare them.

Take a look at each community's history, such as how long they have been around, the comments that have been made on them, and as well the activities and food that they have, for instance. Really you want to make sure that you know everything about each one, so that you can decide on the best possible retirement community for the one that you love.

Halt High Blood Pressure and Enjoy a Long, Healthy Retirement

While high blood pressure aka hypertension can happen at any age, it seems that adults 55 years of age and older seem to get diagnosed more frequently. However, there are many things you can do, no matter how old you are, that can make a difference and greatly prolong your life. You just have to have to commit to follow through.

1. If you are overweight, lose the excess pounds. The extra pounds can weigh heavily (pun intended) on the heart. If your heart has to work harder in order to pump oxygen throughout your body, you will have a high blood pressure because of it. Changing your eating habits and incorporating exercise goes a long way toward having a healthy heart and losing weight.

2. Cut your sodium intake. Your body needs only about a teaspoon a day. However, between processed foods and that salt shaker on your table, you are likely getting three or more times that amount. Salt constricts the blood vessels which in turn hinders blood flow. Your heart has to work overtime then in order to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body, thus raising blood pressure. Be sure to read food packaging for lower sodium options and hide that salt shaker!

3. A heart healthy diet is important. This means first and foremost, plenty of vegetables, especially the dark and leafy green variety. Fibrous fruits, low fat dairy, lean meats, plenty of fish and whole grains are exceptionally healthy. Natural foods are optimal - nothing processed is usually healthy. Raw vegetables make for great snacks and remember the "no white" rule. This rule states that most foods made with white flour as opposed to whole wheat should be shunned. White bread and pasta have a high calorie and high carbohydrate count. There are plenty of whole grain substitutes that offer a healthier version.

4. Exercise is important. If you live a rather sedentary life, you will need to introduce cardiovascular exercises gradually. Walking is perhaps the easiest way to get started. As your stamina increases, weight and strength training can be beneficial as well. When possible, take the stairs or park your car far from a store entrance. Take up gardening. Anything that gets your heart pumping and your body losing fat is important. This means sex too!

5. Smoking is a big no-no for adults who have high blood pressure or pre-hypertension. Smoking not only robs your blood of essential oxygen, it causes cancer and constricts your blood vessels as well.

6. A few alcoholic drinks like red wine can be good for your. However, excessive consumption is not. Men should have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day while women should only have one. Too much alcohol can enlarge your liver or damage your kidneys. This in turn can affect blood pressure.

The best defense is a good offense. Therefore, you should really take care of your body using the steps above when you are young. However, it is never too late to adopt new, healthier habits. You can keep from getting high blood pressure if you are still diagnosed in the pre-hypertension stages. You can also effectively lower your blood pressure and keep it at a healthy level once you adopt some better lifestyle choices.

Middle Aging in Healthy Living

When a person reaches middle age, they sometimes look back at the wasted years. Sometimes a person may wonder how they obtained wrinkles, illnesses, crowfeet, cellulite and so on. As they continue to look back, they may wander why they didn't take care of self. The answers were in front of you then, so instead of regretting your past starts taking steps to slow further aging now.

How body fat causes aging:
As we start to age normal body fat increases up to 30%. The fat will spread out over the body, which usually the stomach gets the highest volume of fat. The skin has less fat, which cause the skin to thin out. As the skin thins it causes wrinkles to occur. Unnatural wrinkles occur when a person smokes or else exposes the flesh excessively to the sun throughout their life. As the skin thins, the functions and the body form starts to disintegrate and aging continues to beg to be excused. Upon the declining phase internal organ reactions or functions, begin to decline as well. After a person turns 30, the body starts to send many other regrets. Declination continues downhill from there on out. The body's functional reserves helps the healthy aging souls carry on, since particular organs can pull the weight.

As the person ages throughout his or her life the person may need to take medications, vitamins, supplements, etc which due to the changes in the body the person may experience effects from illness, environment and toxins in the remedies and environment. This is because the immune system has weakened. As we grow older, the kidneys weaken as well. For this reason the body is incapable of dismissing poisons that come from environmental elements. A person can benefit from CHIRO-KLEENZ at this point to maintain a healthier system. The herbal tea works to detoxify your system while trimming the poisons and unhealthy elements that you acquire. The tea is great for cleaning out the entire system. As we grow older, our body is unable to remove the medicines or drugs taking, which is why you would want to try CHIRO-KLEENZ.

Since many people engage in lifestyles deskbound these days or sedentary and many people smoke, use drugs, drink excessively, eat unhealthy, etc, it is often hard for experts to determine normal healthy aging from unnatural aging. When a person lives unnatural lifestyles the anatomy and the physiology aspects are overtly affected. This means that the nerve cells decline its action, which affects the basic useful unit of the Central Nervous System. (CNS) The neurons make up the cell bodies. The cells die, which are replaced by living cells. As we age, the dying cells gather and the living cells fail to reproduce newer cells to replace the older cells. This mark can lead a person to cancer, or other types of deadly diseases. For the reason you want to learn remedies, about vitamins, supplements, etc that restore dying cells. Of course you are not capable of stopping nature from finally stopping living cells altogether, but you do have a chance to slow natures process. One of the best solutions is exercise. Studies have shown that exercise is the number one reason that people survive many diseases and aging.

Once the cell bodies are affected, the dendrites in the brain start to decline also. When the dendrites start to decline it is a sure sign that mental confusions will follow. When dendrites are affected in the brain, other areas of the brain are affected as well. As you can see the chain of declination continues to decline until it finally reaches the main regions of the bodily functions.

Whole Grains and Their Importance during Aging

Your body betrays you as you get older. Tastes change; you can no longer eat what you want without heartburn or indigestion; and your diet has to change in order for you to fend off illness. That is why the consumption of whole grains versus white flour or refined products is essential to reducing your chances of illness and disease. That old adage that you are what you eat is practically true.

Refined products are more likely to lead you to problems such as heart disease and even diabetes. Most refined products are turned into sugar in the body which is a no-no for diabetics. Instead, reach for whole grain products instead. It all boils down to how the body processes the food that you eat. As mentioned above, refined products can cause problems with blood sugar and you can gain weight in your belly area which contributes to the susceptibility of a variety of illnesses like high blood pressure.

By consuming whole grains, your body burns more calories to process them, thereby keeping unnecessary weight off and reducing your chances of diabetes and other health risks. Whole grains are chock full of important minerals, fiber and vitamins, things that are often removed in the refining process.

If you start eating these whole grains at an early age, chances are that you will not experience higher cholesterol or heart disease. In fact, whole grains coupled with other healthy eating habits will help you burn more calories. It's a great weight motivator.

There are many ways to cut down on refined products and introduce whole grains into the picture. Here are some helpful hints to get you started:

1. Read food labels. Some bread products say whole wheat bread or whole grain bread. However, when you read the food labels, it is full of white flour with just a hint of grains. You want to find products that are at least 75% to 100% whole grains.

2. Substitutions for your favorite foods. If you are a pasta lover, you can still indulge in your favorite spaghetti or pasta salad. Just choose whole wheat or vegetable based pasta in place of the white version. The switch will boost the flavor of your food and you will not likely notice too much of a difference anyway, especially if you put a sauce on the pasta.

3. Substitutions also include those in recipes. If you are baking a cake, muffins or even cookies, try and substitute whole wheat flour for the white flour. Using whole wheat flour will take some redesigning of recipes but your health will thank you for them.

To thoroughly understand what whole grain means, the FDA published guidelines that define what they really are. Simply put, whole grains consist of the ground, unrefined or cracked "fruit" part of the grains which include bran, germ and endosperm parts of the grain. During a refining process like white flour, those "fruit" parts get taken out and that is what makes whole grains so healthy in the first place!

Treating Elderly Depression with Cymbalta Oral

Known by the brand name Cymbalta, the actual drug contained is known as duloxetine and has long since been associated with not only the treatment of depression and several anxiety disorders, but also has found off-label usage in the treatment of nerve pain associated with a plethora of conditions, but most commonly problems that are found to be indicative of diabetes induced complications.

In the classification of antidepressants, Cymbalta falls under the heading of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors which are targeted at affecting the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain of a geriatric patient suffering from depression.

The goal of the medication is to help the elderly person to once again experience restful, sound sleep and reclaim a healthy appetite. This in turn will lead to a healthy intake in nutrients, rest, and thus will lead to overall heightening of energy levels and thus the ability to once gain pursue the activities she or he enjoyed to engage in prior to being struck semi immobile by the ravages of elderly depression.

Even as this is a preferred drug for treatment of depression in the elderly patient population, it is vital to remember that there are a number of medications with which Cymbalta adversely interacts, and as a geriatric patient you must be vigilant in disclosing each and every medication you are taking or may take. Most important is a report on any MAO inhibitor you may take or if you are taking sibutramine, tryptopha, or thioridazine. There drugs are thought to have sometimes fatal results when combined in sufficient dosage.

This may contribute to some doctors' hesitation to prescribe Cymbalta to an elderly population that is known to have a well stocked medicine cabinet and who, more than likely, is concurrently taking a host of other medications to deal with ailments, and to prevent certain illnesses from occurring. On the other side of the spectrum are the physicians who prefer prescribing this medication to those elderly suffering from depression as well as diabetes and who have evidenced exemplary disease management skills since even though Cymbalta has the reputation of adversely affecting blood sugar, those who are taking all diabetes management steps and keeping a close eye on nutrition to boot are also those who will be least likely to take over the counter drugs that might interfere with the effectiveness of the antidepressant.

It has been reported that treating elderly depression with Cymbalta oral sometimes runs afoul of the patient because she or he may be less willing to take a drug that indicates potentially fatal interactions with other drugs, even if the patient is not currently taking any of them. The very fact that a drug may induce such dire consequences scares off a good number of individuals and physicians will do well to counteract this fear and hesitancy with education. In the same way, the balance needed between keeping a patient safe and soothing their fears is sometimes a hard one to maintain and this is where physicians, patients, caregivers, and family members need to work together.

The Body and Mind in Healthy Aging

As we all grow older, we notice many changes going on in our minds and with the body.

At this time, the body and mind is saying you need to take charge and keep yourself active and in shape. Our health in very important and needs work everyday to keep it in control.

Getting older is something we cannot control so taking charge now is very important. It is always best to start youthfully. Our diets change as we grow older, which the body starts to loose nutrients it requires to stay healthy. As we grow older, the body loses vitamins it needs to stay strong. You might want to think about taking a supplement to increase your daily vitamins, which you are no longer getting from your meals. Aside from meals, you also need activities to keep you strong.

Activities play an exceedingly important role in keeping our bodies and mind in shape. As we age, we have a tendency to slow down. The slowness causes the bones stiffen and the brain starts to slow down as well. Our brains and body need as much activities as they can get to keep them from loosing the ability to function, as they should.

Our bodies need exercise everyday or as much as possible. Get yourself into an exercise program to keep the movement going and it will help the brain at the same time. An exercise program can be done with a group making it more fun and you'll enjoy doing it with others and at the same time as you meet new people. Keep the body moving all the time so it doesn't get lazy and want to stop. Exercising will help you lose weight, tone up, keeps you from getting stiff and will give you something to look forward to each day. If you get bored doing the same thing each day, try walking every other day for 30 minutes and on the off days enjoy your curriculum with your new friends.

When starting a new exercise program take it slow and easy so you don't get sore. When you start something new, such as workouts you are using muscles and parts of the body that where out of use. The muscles are tight, so you want to take it slow at the start. Begin with stretches always and end your excise with stretches as well. Don't stop once you've started a program; keep going and you'll notice a big difference? It takes time to see growth but it will benefit you in the end.

If you're feeling sick, don't always take it into your own hands. Some things have to be taken care of with medications, so if you're feeling sick especially for more than a couple of days you need to consult your doctor. See your doctor on a regular schedule for a check up, he can sometimes catch something that you can't before it starts to develop.


Your diet plays a vital part in maintaining your health. Being overweight is common and it should be evaluated regularly by your doctor. If you're overweight, it can cause many things to go wrong with your system.

Diabetes has become increasingly in young and old alike. Diabetes if caught in time can be controlled by medications and diet. Be sure to get the right amount of carbs, fats, and protein in your diet each day to help keep the doctor away. A well balanced diet slows down the aging process and makes a healthier you. The best choice for keeping healthy, as you grow older is to exercise first, diet next, visit your doctor often, and take control of your mind and body.

Retirement Cards Express Years Of Sentiment

People usually retire after many years of service for one company and after many years of working with a group of people. Most days, people get wrapped up in the work that needs to be done so they forget to show their appreciation for their fellow workers. Bosses sometimes do not get a chance to show their appreciation for their workers on a regular basis. Retirement cards, gifts and parties seem to make up for all the neglect in the past. When people realize that a valued worker is leaving permanently, they want to show appreciation for the worker.

Retirement cards are available with many different sentiments. Some of the retirement cards are appropriate for bosses to their workers while others are appropriate for a family member to another family member who is celebrating an important milestone. The retirement cards from coworkers to their colleagues usually have different sentiments than those from family members. These cards usually show affection from the family members and appreciation from coworkers. The cards from coworkers to their colleague who is leaving usually express appreciation for the hard work and team spirit. Sometimes colleagues buy one retirement card which all employees sign with a brief message.

Retirement Cards Are Used As An Announcement

Some retirees send out retirement cards to announce this important milestone in their lives. The retirement cards usually provide important information to friends and family. These retirement cards often show that the person who is retiring is pleased with the progress of their life. These cards also often express great satisfaction that they have the chance to retire. The retirement cards are often an announcement of future plans. These cards can also provide information on new addresses and phone numbers if necessary.

Retirement cards can have different tones depending on the relationship that the sender has with the retiree. The cards can be humorous and express some sentiments about a life of leisure. Other cards are serious with special messages about the work that the retiree did while part of an organization. The cards the retirees send out to announce their plans are usually lighthearted and carefree. The cards are a great way to mark the end of an important period in a person's life. Most retirees are quite happy to receive a stack of cards from friends and family. Many people really appreciate these cards at this important time in their lives.

Five Probable Causes of Low Blood Pressure in Seniors

All the attention goes to hypertension because it's linked to stroke, heart attack and a number of other conditions. Many seniors have to watch out for high blood pressure. Sometimes though, hypotension aka low blood pressure is more of a threat. High blood pressure happens when the blood vessels narrow too much, making the heart to have to pump hard to get blood flowing throughout the body. Hypotension is just the opposite. The blood flow is slow because the blood vessels are not wielding enough resistance, causing some parts of the body to develop a lack of oxygen and nutrients. In the long run, low blood pressure in seniors can cause serious problems.

The yardstick for normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg; that means technically anything below that reading could be considered low blood pressure. In actuality, many healthy seniors have a normal blood pressure reading below 120/80 mm Hg. There is no cause for concern as long as no unusual symptoms present themselves.

With low blood pressure symptoms, seniors might feel lightheadedness, dizziness and even fainting spells. These symptoms mean that the brain is not receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients. The same theory applies when the kidneys or heart do not collect nutrients and oxygen. Seniors could experience angina or a heart attack. Plus, the kidneys could halt the filtering of waste from the blood.

So what are the causes of hypotension anyway? A litany of problems exists that could contribute to low blood pressure in seniors. However, unless a senior has some obscure disease, chances are they will have one of these five probable causes of hypotension:

1. Dehydration is likely when a senior loses a huge amount of water in their blood either through sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or even heat stroke. The loss of electrolytes is also a problem.. That is why seniors who are dehydrated should drink a sports drink; these help bring the electrolytes and salt levels to within normal range. Lingering dehydration and hypotension can lead to acidosis, shock, kidney failure and even orthostatic hypotension, which is what happens when the blood pools in the lower half of the body, causing dizziness, fainting or lightheadedness when a senior gets up from a prone position.

2. An allergic reaction or even a simple infection can also cause hypotension. However, a senior's health condition would have to be pretty severe in order for this to happen.

3. Excessive or prolonged bleeding can cause low blood pressure. Aneurysms, ulcers, tumors, the shock of losing blood or even accident trauma can cause hypotension.

4. Many prescriptions that seniors take also cause low blood pressure. Erectile dysfunction medications and even anti-depressants contribute to the cause. A senior with high blood pressure has been known to develop hypotension. Usually it is due to the wrong hypertension prescription or even taking a high blood pressure drug in the wrong part of the day or at the wrong dosage.

5. Various forms of heart disease have been known to cause hypotension. Genetic factors play a part in forming low blood pressure as well as an infection in the sac around the heart. Hypotension in seniors also can involve the aorta

Your doctor should be consulted before trying any treatment plan for low blood pressure. The causes should be pinpointed first so that the right solution can be found.