Alternative Treatments for Depression in the Elderly Individual

Typical depression treatments include medication, psychological therapy, and Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). There are a few other treatments that can be considered by the elderly individual and the doctor.

Some alternative treatments have started to become accepted into the western medicine culture while others are not because studies have been conducted yet of sufficient amount to determine safety and effectiveness. These alternatives methods have however proven to bring relief from stress and in so doing can benefit the elderly individual suffering from depression. Some of the more popular alternative treatments are:

Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Biofeedback
Chiropractic treatment
Guided imagery
Herbal remedies
Massage
Relaxation techniques

Vagal Nerve Stimulation - Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) was approved in July of 2005, by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in long-term or recurrent major depression in adults. This therapy has been used to treat those with hart-to-treat epilepsy and also those who are 18 years old and have not been able to be successfully treated with 4 or more antidepressant treatments.

VNS uses electrical impulses along the vagus nerve in the neck to treat severe depression. The treatment actually destroys part of the vagus nerve.

It is important to note that most alternative therapies require some measure of physical exertions; so older adults should consult first with their doctor before starting any alternative therapies. Herbal remedies can react to other medications that the elderly person is on so caution should be exercised when contemplating using alternative therapies.

More studies are required regarding the validity of the safety and effectiveness of most mind-body therapies. Mind-body therapies can include tai chi and yoga.

A study done by Ohio State University found that 70% of older Americans have turned to alternative treatments in place of medications that can give them side effects. The most popular of the alternative therapies seems to be the use of chiropractors.

The elderly are at a higher risk for suicide if depression goes untreated so using alternative therapies should only be done after consulting the doctor who is treating the individual for depression.

The reason that alternative therapies are considered for elderly depression is that depression according to some scientists is a biochemical illness. The triggers for the depression cause a neurochemical change that leads to the feelings of depression. Alternative treatments are designed to re-establish balance and harmony within the body. The typical alternative therapies to do this are: acupuncture, biofeedback and dietary factors that encourage good nutrition.

The World Heath Organization does list acupuncture as being a valuable alternative in the treatment for acupuncture if the individual is unable to use antidepressants.

When alternative treatments are being considered it is important to monitor the individual regarding the intensity of depression and to be in close contact with the doctor under whose care the individual is under. Depression can be very serious in the elderly and any treatment plan should be adjusted according to the state of depression at regular intervals.

What is a 401(k)?

When searching and sifting through copious amounts of confusing and conflicting information concerning financial retirement savings and plans it is quite likely that you have come across the term 401(k). You may have wondered if that was the newest robot in the Star Wars saga but the truth of the matter is that it is a type of retirement savings plans that is designed so that employees and employers alike can contribute to a fund that is set aside for your future retirement.

Many people invest pretax earnings into their 401(k) funds, which they then have the option to invest in mutual funds of many options. You will find these mutual funds in a wide array of choices from money market accounts to very aggressive and risky stock portfolios. If you work for one of the many companies across the country that offers the option of a 401(k) plan you would be literally robbing your future self not to take advantage of this offering.

There are 3 general types of contributions to 401(k) plans: matching contributions, elective contributions, and non-elective contributions.

Matching contributions are very nice from the standpoint of the employee as the employer matches a predetermined amount of the funds invested by the employee towards this fund. Different companies will offer different amounts for their matching contributions. If your company will match up to a certain percentage of what you invest into your 401 (k) you should take them up on their offer. This is money that will benefit you later in life and should not be thrown away without a darn good for doing so.

An elective contribution is money that you invest before taxes are taken out of your salary. This means that you aren't paying income taxes on these funds at today's rate of taxation. Many people believe this is a good plan because the assumption is that you will be in a lower tax bracket upon retirement though there are no guarantees that that will be true. This money is money that you have elected to invest in your 401 (k) plan, rather than bring home in the form of salary, thus the name of elective contribution.

Non-elective contributions are money that employer deposits into your account. In most cases you cannot opt to take this money as cash rather than an investment in your 401 (k) plan.

There are limitations for how much you can invest into your 401 (k) plan on a given year. You should check with the IRS to get the actual numbers as they have changed over time and are likely to continue doing so as the cost of living increases across the country. Once you reach the age of 50 you are allowed to make extra contributions to your plan in order to 'catch up' and better prepare for retirement.

When studying your options for retirement financial planning you should carefully consider taking your employer up on any type of assistance they offer in this endeavor. If they offer to match the funds you invest in your retirement you can bet that money has already been deducted in their calculations of your salary. In other words, they are giving you the money you've earned in a different manner. The good news is that when the time comes to retire you will be able to appreciate every dollar that has been invested along the way.

We could never hope to simply save the money that we will need in order to retire. Even investments are tricky for the vast majority of the population. For this reason, it is a wise investment plan to take advantage of any opportunity to increase your funds by employers matching your contributions. Take the maximum benefit they will match and if you are seriously worried about your financial future more than your current financial situations, invest the maximum allowable amount each year in your 401 (k) plan.