How to Help a Depressed Senior

Depression in senior citizens is a common problem, according to HelpGuide.org. It may be overlooked for dementia or simply be seen as sadness over the hardships of losing loved ones. Depression is a painful condition to needlessly suffer through because depression in the elderly can be treated successfully. Though you may not be a medical or psychiatric professional, there are things you can do to help a loved senior through this difficult time. You can also help to facilitate him or her on the path to healing and well-being just by providing support.

Things You'll Need

• Friend
• Doctor
• Medications
• Psychiatrist

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Instructions

• 1

  Educate yourself about the symptoms of depression in the elderly. When you suspect cognitive or personality changes in a senior, the best thing you can do is arm yourself with knowledge so that you can help them. Common symptoms include sadness, fatigue, loss of interest in pleasurable things, social withdrawal or isolation, weight loss or loss of appetite, sleep changes, loss of self-worth, overindulgence in alcohol and drugs and a fixation on death.

• 2

  Discuss medications or illnesses that a senior may have with her doctor. Medications and illnesses can cause depression in seniors. Illnesses should be treated and medications that cause depression should be discontinued or replaced. Medications such as blood pressure medications, beta blockers, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, calcium-channel blockers, Parkinson's disease medications, ulcer medications, heart drugs with reserpine, steroids, high cholesterol drugs, painkillers and estrogens can all cause depression. Likewise, illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, strokes, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, thyroid disorders, Vitamin B12 deficiency, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, lupus and multiple sclerosis can cause depression.

• 3

  Seek professional treatment if a senior is diagnosed with depression or if you believe he has depression. Depression can be treated with ongoing medication or therapy which may curb or totally eliminate all negative symptoms if used properly. Only a medical professional can decide which course is best for a senior to take. This is why it is imperative that a senior be evaluated and diagnosed by a medical or psychiatric professional so that he is treated properly.

• 4

  Encourage the senior in her recovery goals. See that medications are taken as directed and therapy exercises are followed. The depression may return if treatment is not followed correctly. You may also monitor treatment to make sure that medications and therapy are going well for the senior and there are no adverse effects mentally or physically. Negative side effects could also cause a relapse into depression and weaken the senior's state.

• 5

  Forge or strengthen a relationship with the senior and stay involved in his life. Regular checkups for the senior may encourage him and give him something to look forward to. Aside from being a caregiver, you can also be a dedicated friend, helping the senior through the difficult depression. You may need to be an ever-present force in the senior's life to let him know that he is not alone. Regressing into isolation may be a sign of furthering depression. Be a regular source of support for the senior and someone on whom he can depend. Continue to support him even after the depression has passed to prevent relapse.