Depression in the elderly population is a fast growing concern. Those who are depressed and elderly are at an increased risk for death by suicide. The suicide rates for those who are elderly as opposed to the rest of the population are 80%; which is a rate that is more than double that of youth. The warning signs of depression are missed in most cases because of the ideal that the elderly have more to be depressed about which fosters the idea that it is normal for them to be depressed. Depression is an illness and not a normal state for anyone to be in no matter what the age. All of the factors of depression are linked in some way to lack of social support.
The elderly face many contributing factors that can lead to depression including: loss of a spouse through divorce or death, lifestyle changes in living arrangement or location, financial lifestyle changes brought on by job loss, retirement or loss of a spouse, and also physical or mental stresses that take a toll on the mind and body. They can also lose body limbs due to trauma or disease, which can lead to feelings of loss. All of these factors can be supported and the elderly uplifted and encouraged to cope with these factors when they are in an environment where love is shared, nurtured and encouraged.
Environments that foster love are usually found within the family unit (sons and daughters, siblings, and other family members). As we age these family members decrease as adult children move away, as members die, or simply neglect the elderly members of the family. Some family units are unfortunately anything but a loving environment as so many elderly individuals are physically, mentally or emotionally abused. Not being loved can strip any individual of the ability to cope with life stresses that are of a physical nature such as disease, pain, loss of limb etc. Not being loved can also cause an individual to shut down and become isolated from society. Isolation leads to a lack of support system that would otherwise encourage and help the individual to find resources that could help them to deal with life stresses.
Society has the responsibility to identify those elderly community members who may be at risk for depression due to isolation or lack of loving support systems. Once identified initiating a loving support system can help elderly individuals to start to cope with depression and other illnesses.
A study conducted by the researchers at the Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, at Weil Cornell Medical College tested the theory of the effect social service interventions and social support had on depressive symptoms with 56 homebound elderly whose age averaged at 82. The study showed a decrease in depressive symptoms of those participating after just 6 months of social intervention. 63% of the participants improved the quality of life as a result of the social contact. Those patients who had the most social support showed the most improvement in all areas tested.
Love and concern for those who are elderly and showing signs of depression can make a difference in their ability to function and to cope with life including illnesses such as depression.
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