Depression is an illness that can have particularly devastating effects on those who are 65 or older (elderly). They are at an increased risk for death by suicide when depressed and can widely go under diagnosed for depression because they are elderly.
Depression can occur in the elderly for no obvious reason or it can be a response to a life change such as a loss of a spouse or adult child, loss of a job or retirement, loss of a relationship such as the death of a lifelong friend or companion. Depression can be the response to chronic disease or chronic pain or it can actually be a symptom of a disease or condition.
There are many signs and symptoms to look for in the elderly individual that may indicate the possibility of depression. These signs and symptoms should not be ignored or taken for granted (such as the thinking that it is normal for elderly to be depressed).
Not all individuals exhibit the exact same signs and symptoms of depression so no two elderly individuals will show the same ones either.
Some of the more common signs and symptoms of depression in the elderly are:
* A mood that is consistently sad, or discouraged (blues)
* Expresses a feeling of being empty or useless
* Persistent expressions of pessimism about the past, present or future
* Difficult decision making
* Moving slow or having a lack of energy
* Thoughts or expressions of suicide
* Extreme irritability especially if it is out of character
* Restlessness (wringing of hands), moving aimlessly around the room, pacing
* Loss of appetite, not eating meals
In order to evaluate whether or not an elderly person is depressed, careful observation must be done because in most cases the elderly will not admit to feeling sad or depressed. The signs (physical) of loose clothing that may indicate a loss of appetite or daytime sleepiness that may indicate that the individual is not sleeping well at night. Other signs may be an unusually messy house or unkempt physical state of being (dirty clothing or unwashed hair).
The signs of depression may indicate the need for assistance in planning meals, preparing meals or shopping for meal ingredients. The signs can also lead to the conclusion that the individual lacks a support systems and could benefit from community services that are set up to aid the elderly in the area such as food pantry, meals-on-wheels, home health aids, or a visiting nurse to take blood pressure checks and other necessary medical assessments. Chronic medical conditions including chronic pain management can help to prevent or decrease the severity of depression in the elderly.
The good news is that when the signs or symptoms of depression are recognized there are steps that can be taken to start or to grow a support system that will connect the elderly individual to social contacts that will aid them in coping with life stresses and situations. The support system will allow them to make good lifestyle decisions that will lessen depression or help to prevent future depression episodes.
