Symptoms that Aid in Diagnosing Depression in Elderly

Contrary to what some think, depression is not a normal state for anyone, even for those who are elderly, to be in. Depression is a disease of the brain that requires treatment. Untreated depression in the elderly can lead to suicide. Depression is very common in the elderly with as many as 6.5 million Americans who are 65 or older suffering from depression.

There are several symptoms to watch for that may indicate a need for depression evaluation. These symptoms may be present:

* A change in appetite (loss or increase)

* A loss of interest in activities that otherwise would bring pleasure

* Loss of memory

* Weight gain or loss that is unexplained

* Vague complains of pain or ailments

* Difficulty sleeping, or remaining asleep

* Unusual irritability

* Lack of acceptable personal hygiene

* Problems with concentration

* Withdrawing from society

* Confusion, having delusions or hallucinations

* Expressing feelings of hopelessness or feeling worthless

* Thoughts or expressions of suicide

When others know what to look for regarding signs of depression help can easily be on its way. Those who come into daily contact with elderly individuals should familiarize themselves with the following symptoms of depression.

Extreme sadness

Unusual fatigue

Loss of interest in activities that they previously participated in such as hobbies, social gatherings etc.

Unexplained weight loss or weight gain

Not being able to sleep during the night, not being able to stay asleep or oversleeping. Sometimes individuals with depression will experience daytime sleepiness

Feelings of self-loathing, of being a burden to others, or feelings of being a failure or of being worthless

Individuals who show one or more of the listed symptoms should be encouraged to be evaluated by a medical doctor to determine if they are depressed. Depression used to hold such stigma of being crazy or weak. Today, there is so much more that we know about depression. We know that it is a disease. Those who suffer from depression are not at fault, it is a disease just like diabetes is a disease, or cancer. The person who is depressed no more wants to be depressed than the person with cancer, wants to have cancer.

Symptoms of depression like symptoms of cancer are used to diagnose the disease so that a treatment plan can be devised so that the individual can feel better and have an improved quality of life.

The symptoms are warning signs that should not be ignored. Elderly individuals are at great risk when they suffer from depression. Those at special risk are those who lack a support system or those who live alone. When there is no support or when no one is around, symptoms can go unnoticed. When symptoms go unnoticed, depression is undiagnosed and untreated and that puts the elderly person at risk for suicide.

Preventing Bone Disease in Healthy Aging

Each day we live, we grow older failing to see that our bones and muscles demand activities to continue strength, endurance and resistance to life's nasty living demands. Our bones need continued activities through out our lives starting as a child. Until we turn 30, the bones continue to build. After this age, the bones begin to disintegrate. You can cutback this degeneration process by taking care of your bones in youthful days.


How it is achieved:

Bone health is achieved through activities, such as exercise. In addition, you maintain healthy bones by increasing calcium. Supplements are available, which include the FDA marked remedies to help reduce bone loss from natural aging.

Taking calcium is very important during our entire life. Children should drink 2 cups of milk each day and adults 3 cups. Calcium in food is better to take than pills because you get more of it; food sometimes doesn't have the right amounts in it due to the way it has been processed. Get that calcium in your body at an early age and keep it there. Besides calcium however, your bones demand a mixture of magnesium. You will also need a healthy dose of phosphorous. Vitamin D facilitates calcium to flow through the bloodstream. Free flowing bloods make a healthier you.

To improve bones, we also need to start at an early age getting plenty of vitamin D. As we get older, we have a tendency to stay out of the sun more. Don't sit in the house all day. Rather try to get outside around noon and get some sun with all those vitamin D rays. Supplements can be used but again the sun is better. Maybe take a walk for 15-20 minutes each day to get the sun.

As we aging into the later years of our life, we have to keep those bones strong. You can benefit from weight bearing works, such as walking. Keeping those bones strong will help you survive falls. Falls is one of the leading reasons of bone breakage or fractures, especially as we grow older.

Unfortunately, adolescents don't realize the importance of taking care of our bones. As these adolescents pass puberty however, their bones start to decline. Once a person reaches 50, the bones start to deteriorate, which puts you at high risk of fractures, disease and breakage. As the bones weaken, the muscles and joints will also degenerate. Injures then can lead to gouty arthritis, arthritis, osteoporosis and so on.


The high-risks of bone fractures are charted, which include hip fractures being the most common injure amongst the elderly. Hip fractures may sound like a minor ordeal, yet the truth is hip fractures are responsible for some deaths.

Weak bones are avertable even once you are middle age. It's never to late to repair or mend our bodies.

Staying fit is the key to preventing risks of disease, hip fractures etc since the bones will stay healthy. In view of the fact, you want to consider a daily schedule, which includes activities and exercise. You want to keep those muscles free to move, since the muscles protect the bones. Stretch workouts and exercise will prevent your joints from feeling stiff as well, which joints support the muscles and bones.


When you exercise you, maintain weight. As you start to age, the body fat increases to more than 30%. This is too much added weight for the muscles, joints and bones. Carrying around this kind of weight on the feet, legs, etc will cause problems later. Maintaining your weight will help prevent and lower your risks of heart disease, bone disease, high-blood, high-cholesterol, diabetes and so on.