Those who work with the elderly on a regular basis will tell you, that they see the evidence of depression in these individuals routinely. The trouble with something that is observed on a routine basis is that it becomes normal to witness the occurrence of the event or condition in the case of depression; and it is often than ignored by medical personnel. Depression should never be viewed as a "normal part of aging". When caregivers and medical professionals assume that depression is normal, they ignore it. Ignoring depression is never a good thing for the individual experiencing it. Depressed individuals need immediate attention, diagnosis, treatment and support.
The very natural progression of years that an elderly person as experienced predisposes them to a higher incidence of disease and situations like loss, that are known to put them at risk for depression. This fact is the reason doctors often assume that it is normal for anyone over 65 to be depressed (they have more reasons to be depressed).
The facts are that:
Depression in the senior years does go hand in hand with other medical chronic or terminal illnesses.
Depression will tend to last longer in the elderly individual.
Depression compounds medical risk for cardiac disease.
Depression in the elderly is more likely to end in suicide than it will for someone who is depressed and much younger.
Risk:
Those at most risk for depression are the elderly population that are female, unmarried and especially those living alone, those who have experienced stressful life events such as natural disasters and loss of close loved ones, and also those who lack a support network.
Other factors that can put an elderly person at risk for depression include certain medications or medication combinations, a recent loss, chronic pain, damage to body image such as an amputation, having the fear of self death, a family history of depression or a history of any major depressive disorder, past suicidal attempts and any substance abuse.
Treatment:
The elderly and those caring for them should understand that not only is depression not normal but that it is common for them to experience it and also more importantly that there are several treatment options available for those who suffer from depression.
The treatment option for those over 65 include: medications, psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and also a combination of these treatments.
Medications - The medication class is known as antidepressants. Antidepressants have been shown to be very effective for the older individual. There are however risks associated with using these drugs including potential for adverse reactions from antidepressants and other medications that they may already be taking. It is important that both the doctor prescribing the antidepressant and the pharmacist filling the prescription be aware of any other medications that the individual is taking to avoid this risk factor.
Antidepressants are also known to take longer before the benefits can be felt by the individual taking them in those of advanced age. This prolonged effectiveness is due to elderly individuals being more sensitive to medications and the fact that doctors are prone to start them off at lower doses.
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