Identifying Depression In Seniors
Depression in seniors is very common, yet the causes and symptoms in this group of people in our society tends to be misunderstood and even overlooked. Aging, life circumstances, and medication interactions can all make depression hard to recognize. And even though depression is normal, senior people tend to suffer from this condition in high numbers, and they are a group in the entire population that are least likely to get treatment.
More than 7 million seniors in the united states alone, suffer from depression. But, this great number is a mere contrast to the fact that just 10% of these people ever get treatment for this disorder. In fact, over 5 million adults have what is called subsyndromal depression, a depression so mild that it cannot meet the criteria for a depression diagnosis. This type of depression is common in the elderly, and it indicates a higher risk of the person getting a major depression. Identifying and treating depression in seniors becomes very important as this generation ages and places unheard pressures on healthcare in every country.
Depression is not just a part of growing old. On average, from 1%-5% of older people may suffer from depression. However, these numbers dramatically increase to 13.5% for people who live in a home or an institutional healthcare place. These numbers show that seniors who need more care may suffer from depression either due to the lack of control they feel they have over their lives, or due to the existing medical conditions.
Depression occurs due to a couple of reasons. Just like the rest of the population, older adults may experience depression for most of the same reasons, but seniors ideally have a host of other factors that make things complicated.
Here are factors that influence depression in the elderly:
Factors such as psychological factors, physical factors and environmental factors all contribute to depression in seniors. Any one or a couple of the following factors may be responsible for depression in seniors.
Psychological Factors:
1. Life events that may be unresolved or traumatic
2. A family history of depression
3. Frustrations that may be as a result of losing memory caused by a disease or aging
4. Body image issues; as we age, we experience discomfort with changes such as surgeries, amputations, stroke, etc.
5. Dealing with the loss of a spouse, family member or a friend.
6. Dealing with changes in living situations or conditions such as moving into a nursing home, moving in with family or housing in an extended care facility.
7. Losing independence. Giving a caretaker access to the home can make a senior very anxious. They may ideally feel that their independence is being reduced if they require help.
8. Psychological conditions such as anxiety disorders and low self-esteem.
Physical Factors are:
Medication Interactions and Side effects
A family or a personal history of depression
Chemical imbalances or other changes in the brain functionality
Previous or ongoing substance abuse
Chronic and severe pain
Environmental Factors That Cause Depression Are:
Retirement
Social isolation
And decreased mobility such as loss of driving privileges
Caregiver Assistance In Identifying Depression In Seniors
Caregivers might be the most important assets in identifying depression or the symptoms of depression in the elderly people. Whether, they are professionals or just family friends; caregivers are very important as they interact with the senior daily. This regular contact with the person might enable the caregiver to pinpoint the signs of depression before anybody else.
Older adults may experience more sad events than the rest of the people in our society. Ideally, they may interpret these events far much differently than younger individuals would. For instance, the lose of a close friend can be seen as a sad event by the senior and it may ideally remind them of their mortality. In addition to this, senior people may have fewer friends and this makes the loss of one very heartbreaking. This leads to cases of depression among older people quite common.
Keep in mind that untreated depression is very serious. Seniors with untreated depression will experienced a reduced quality of life and may be at a heightened risk of suicide. Therefore, understanding the causes and managing depression is vital in helping the elderly live happy and healthy lives.















