Depression in Older Adults & the Elderly

Depression among older adults is a significant health concern, with more than 2 million Americans 65 years and older suffering from the condition, according to Mental Health America. While that age group makes up only 13 percent of the U.S. population, the age group has 20 percent of all suicide deaths in this country. When looking at white males over 85, the statistics are even more alarming, as the suicide rate among them is six times the national rate. Besides the risk of suicide, depression is costly. Seniors with depression spend 50 percent more on health care than their non-depressed counterparts. Depression is not mere blues or sadness, it is a serious but treatable illness.

Identification

• Depression among the elderly or in older adults typically manifests as sadness; fatigue; loss of interest in things once important to the individual; isolation and withdrawal from friends, family, and activities; reduced appetite; weight loss; sleep difficulties; substance abuse; feelings of guilt or impaired self-worth; increasing interest in and talk or thoughts of death; and possible suicide attempts.

Causes

• Depression in older adults can arise from a variety of situations common to the elderly such as family changes, physical illnesses or problems, frustration with memory loss, difficulty in being independent particularly with mobility, loss of a partner or close friend, and transitioning to a care facility from the family home.

Misconceptions

• Many times depression in the elderly shows up differently than in other age groups. A depressed older person may deny feeling depressed or sad. In the elderly, other clues such as unexplained aches and pains, slowed movement, irritability, hopelessness; excessive anxiety or worry; lack of good self-care as shown in a lapse in personal hygiene, not eating properly, neglected medical needs such as not taking prescription medicine or not seeking treatment for obvious medical problems, may point to depression.

Medical Issues

• Many times depression can be linked to a medication, illness or condition. Should depression symptoms present in an older adult, screening should be done for thyroid or hormone imbalances, nutritional deficiencies or dehydration. Medical conditions that may bring on depression include heart disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, cancer, diabetes or multiple sclerosis. Medications that may trigger depression include arthritis drugs, hormones, painkillers, steroids, high blood pressure medications, tranquilizers and cancer drugs.

Treatment

• If linked to a medical condition, treating the condition, perhaps with a different medication, may ease depression symptoms. If not medically caused, depression may be treated with therapy, and with more serious depression a combination of antidepressant medication and therapy is the most effective treatment. Physical activity can be helpful as well. Drug treatment must be carefully supervised by a physician as antidepressants can cause serious health issues in the elderly, and the patient must be able to follow through on properly taking the medicine. Support groups can also be helpful for an older adult with depression. Treatment is potentially just as successful for older adults as with younger. However, the prognosis generally is better if the person has a strong support network of friends and family.