Is it Depression or Something Else?

Depression among older adults is far more common than we freely admit. Some estimates place the condition in 8-20% of older adults nationwide. Here in Hawaii the estimates are lower – 4-8 % but for those residents in nursing homes the estimate jumps to 70%! It’s not hard to imagine why. They have lost much of their personal dignity to physical conditions they have little or control over. They are not able to make many personal decisions concerning schedules, activities or even what they will eat and drink. And on top of all that – they are living somewhere unfamiliar, among other people they usually do not know and sometimes cannot even communicate with.


But, it is important for caregivers to understand that while we may be able to identify factors that can promote depression; the condition itself is NOT a normal condition of aging. It is a treatable in 90+% of those affected.

Depression is linked to suicide. Depression increases with age (especially in men)Adults over the age of 85 commit suicide at almost twice the rate of all ages combined.

 Depression contributes to premature death from numerous illnesses and conditions.

 Some symptoms of depression:

 Feeling sad for a period of time

 Inability to enjoy life

 Lack of interest in favorite activities

 Sleeping too much or too little

 Changes in appetite or weight

 Trouble concentrating, slowed thinking and memory problems

 Thoughts of death or suicide

 Irrational thinking, hallucinations, or paranoia

 Lack of energy, fatigue, slowed movement

 Agitation or restlessness

 Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness

 *Feeling of worthlessness or excessive guilt

 *Physical complaints or pain

 *Social isolation

 *Irritability, criticalness

 *Excessive anxiety or worry

read on

American Geriatrics Association

www.americangeriatrics.org/education/forum/alzcare.shtml

National Institute for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
http://www.nccam.nih.gov/

National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
http://www.nami.org/

National Mental Health Association
http://www.nmha.org/

National Library of Medicine
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html