Elderly Depression Ignored

Many people say that persistent depression is a normal response to aging. This is mainly the reason why many depressed elderly are left untreated. People automatically suppose that the expression of extreme sadness is just a natural part of becoming old.

Sadness as a response to loss, grief and temporary mood swings are normal parts of the aging process, but long-term depression can lead to serious problems. Since health professionals do not give much attention to depression in the elderly, this disorder greatly affects the lives of people in this demographic group. It is, in fact, considered as one of the causes of suicide in most countries.

Studies show that medical professionals and the government don’t give enough consideration to the health condition of the elderly. Older people get little help, and this is quite unfair on their part. Depression among the elderly is a serious problem and should not be ignored! Equal treatment for the young and the old should be implemented.

This article, it is hoped, will serve to advocate the cause of the elderly. It will provide information about elderly depression, thereby increasing awareness about the importance of the feelings and medical situations of the elderly.

What is Elderly Depression?

Depression among the elderly coexists with other medical illness and disabilities. People with advanced age think that they have lost their purpose because of their physical limitations. They may have lost their means to interact with society because of the loss of a loved one, retirement or relocation to a new home.

These situations usually lead to helplessness and despair. Most health professionals believe that older people tend to slow down, and this notion might lead to late diagnosis and delayed treatment. As an effect, the elderly depend largely on themselves when it comes to coping with sadness and despair.

Since elderly depression has been largely neglected, the incidence of death due to severe depression has increased. Depression among the elderly usually lasts longer than that among the young and adults. Researchers have shown the relationship between depression, heart attack and even suicide. So if you have an elderly person in your home and you’re concerned about him or her, then you should provide them the respect and the attention that they deserve.

Risk Factors and Causes of Depression in the Elderly

Almost 6 million people ages 65 and older in the United States are affected by depression, but only 10% of them are receiving proper treatment. Older people feel that they cannot support themselves (especially financially) because they no longer have the means (physical strength, job, etc) to do it. To arrest the progress of depression among the elderly, it is important to determine this condition’s risk factors.

Depression among the elderly mainly affects women who are experiencing stressful events like death of the spouse/children, isolation, pain, and lack of social support. Depression can also be caused by chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, and cancer. Side effects of medication in treating these chronic illnesses can also lead to depression.

Having a family history of depression is also a big factor for depression among the elderly. In order to treat depression among the elderly, awareness of the risk factors is significant.

Recognising the Signs and Symptoms of Elderly Depression

To better understand elderly depression, here are the signs and symptoms. It is hoped that this can help in the early diagnosis of elderly depression so that treatment can be promptly delivered:

Complaints of pain all over the body, low energy, slowed movements and speech, poor eating habits, disturbed sleeping pattern, decrease or increase in weight, dizziness and anxiety.
Disorientation specifically with respect to time, place and person; intense sadness, loss of motivation, and withdrawal from family and friends.
Talks of despair and statements of not being needed anymore. Frequent visits to the doctor but symptoms are not verified by laboratory tests.
Talks about death and refusal to do things that bring happiness or pleasure.

Looking for Help: Treatment for Elderly Depression

Treatments for elderly depression are successfully provided by health care professional and mental institutions. Treatment for depression includes medications and psychotherapy. The combination of these two treatments can be very effective in treating elderly depression.

Medications

Anti-depressants are medications specially made to treat depression. These medications are the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which decreases the supply of serotonin in the synapse, the tricyclics and the MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors).

Treatments of elderly depression involving the use of antidepressants require careful administration. Antidepressants must be prescribed by a medical professional because different patients have different reactions to drugs. So if a certain anti-depressant doesn’t work for an elderly person, then another anti-depressant might work for him or her.

Older people and their caretakers should be advised that the medications take effect after 6-8 weeks and continuous intake of anti-depressants should be done to prevent relapse.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an alternative treatment for depression in later years. Most people of advanced age have poor absorption so there is a tendency that medications for treating depression may not take effect.

Psychotherapy is the process of building a genuine relationship between the therapist and the patient. In psychotherapy, the patient has the opportunity to express all his negative thoughts about life. He or she can express his feelings of sadness and despair. The objective of psychotherapy is to help the patient (elderly) to return to his or her normal functioning. Therapist will help these depressed elders to solve their problems and have a positive outlook in life.

The Problems Affecting the Treatment of Elderly Depression

Depression is treatable, but why is it that a lot of our seniors still suffer and die because of depression? Despite the advances in medicine, one question still remains. Why is elderly depression ignored?

Mental illness is considered as a stigma to our society. We can trace the roots of this predicament from the patient’s family, friends and society themselves. That’s why; seniors experiencing depression don’t usually seek medical attention. They find it hard to seek help because they believe that there is no hope for them. They also feel abandoned and believe that nobody will support them both emotionally and financially in case they need treatment. The feelings of hopelessness and social isolation are just some of the reasons why elderly depression is still left largely untreated.

When will the people, especially the medical professionals and the government, give attention to our elderly? Is it fair to let our parents and grandparents die of despair? Think about it.