Sadness in aging should not always be interpreted as depression. Yes, as we grow older, different situations can worsen our mood. But depression is a medical disorder and not a normal part of the aging process. Unfortunately, depression tends to occur more in the elderly compared to younger adults. If you’re advanced in age or need to know how to help an elderly person with depression, the following facts can help you.
Signs of Depression in the Elderly
We can avoid getting fully depressed by knowing its early signs and symptoms. These usually include:
Difficulty falling asleep
Low energy and motivation
Helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of appetite and weight
Lack of interest in hobbies
Low interest in social activities
Pains and aches that have no obvious cause
Sadness and despondence
Feelings of worthlessness
Sluggish speech and body movement
Strong tendency toward substance abuse
Thoughts of suicide
Loss of memory
Causes of Depression in Older Adults
As we advance in age, we often encounter more life-changing events that can increase the occurrence of depression, including:
Illness— Health problems, physical disability, chronic pain or loss of memory
Isolation — Living in solitude, a loss of close friends due to death or reduced mobility from losing a driver’s license
Feelings of Purposelessness — Low desire to pursue personal goals and loss of identity induced by retirement from active service or less access to important activities
Fear of death— Fear of dying or serious worries about impending doom and financial or health problems
Recent bereavements— The loss of a spouse, family members, friends or even pets
Types of Depression
The most common types of depression include:
Minor Depression — Mild symptoms of depression show up, but they don’t last for a long time.
Major Depression — Symptoms are quite severe, and they don’t allow you or your loved one to work, sleep, eat, concentrate or participate in basic daily activities.
Dysthymia — This depression is known as Persistent Depressive Disorder. The symptoms aren’t as severe as those of major depression, but they could last for as long as two years.
Subsyndromal Depression— The symptoms don’t meet the criteria for major depression regarding duration or severity. Symptoms such as anhedonia and depressed mood are usually absent.
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11/12/2019
My mom is a current client at Active Home Care, we are extremely happy with the services she is receiving. Anita is wonderful with her, she really cares for my mom. She comes in every day at 9:00 am to assist her with breakfast and getting her ready and stays...read moreMy mom is a current client at Active Home Care, we are extremely happy with the services she is receiving. Anita is wonderful with her, she really cares for my mom. She comes in every day at 9:00 am to assist her with breakfast and getting her ready and stays with her until 3:00 pm. My mom loves Anita, she keeps my mom safe and takes her out to socialize on a daily basis.read less
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7/02/2019
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12/17/2020
When I first called Active Home Care, I had been taking care of my mom on my own for several months. I knew I needed help but I didn't know how to find it. My mother's physician recommended Active Home Care, so I called them. They sent a couple of...read moreWhen I first called Active Home Care, I had been taking care of my mom on my own for several months. I knew I needed help but I didn't know how to find it. My mother's physician recommended Active Home Care, so I called them. They sent a couple of caregivers for interviews and I decided on the one I liked the most. I'm using their services 6 hours every day and I'm very happy and relieved now.read less
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11/12/2019
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11/04/2020
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3/18/2021
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3/26/2019
I was referred to active home care by a neighbor a couple of months ago. My mother in law is now 82 years old, she is very fragile and needs assistance with some activities of daily living like bathing, dressing and grooming. We have had many different caregivers with a...read moreI was referred to active home care by a neighbor a couple of months ago. My mother in law is now 82 years old, she is very fragile and needs assistance with some activities of daily living like bathing, dressing and grooming. We have had many different caregivers with a lot of turnover, until we found active home care. They came to our home before starting services and met my mother in law, after that they allowed us to interview different caregivers until we felt comfortable. We are very happy with the caregiver and the service provided by the company.read less
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8/30/2019
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6/15/2021
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9/24/2019
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12/22/2021
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12/08/2016
Active Home Care agency helped my father so much! They were so quick to respond and send two caregivers who go above and beyond in their service. I hope this review will help another family make a decision to use and trust Active Home Care agency to help their family...read moreActive Home Care agency helped my father so much! They were so quick to respond and send two caregivers who go above and beyond in their service. I hope this review will help another family make a decision to use and trust Active Home Care agency to help their family member in need.read less
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12/07/2016
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11/05/2019
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11/12/2019
Active Senior Care has been a huge help with caring for my 96-year-old Mum! They offered friendly, professional, caring services beginning with Blima the representative that I first met in September 2020 all the way to the staff that she organised to help me! I’d had previous experience...read moreActive Senior Care has been a huge help with caring for my 96-year-old Mum! They offered friendly, professional, caring services beginning with Blima the representative that I first met in September 2020 all the way to the staff that she organised to help me! I’d had previous experience working with other agencies. There was no comparison with the outstanding care and concerned that was given by Active Senior Care! I recommend them without hesitation!read less
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1/22/2021
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3/04/2021
Medical Conditions That Cause Depression
Any severe medical condition, especially those that are painful or life-threatening, may aggravate the symptoms of depression. Some medical conditions that worsen depression include:
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Lupus
Alzheimer’s disease
Dementia
Lack of vitamin B12
Diabetes
Cancer
Heart disease
Parkinson’s disease
Stroke
Depression as a Side Effect of Medications
Depression may occur in the elderly from an adverse reaction to medication. You may be at risk when you take more than one set of medications. Depression could be a side effect of the following drugs:
Estrogens like Prempro and Premarin
Painkillers
Arthritis medication
Steroids
Ulcer medication like Tagamet
Drugs containing Reserpine used for heart-related ailments
Pills used to induce sleep
Parkinson’s disease medication
Tranquilizers like Halcion and Valium
Drugs for reducing cholesterol like Zocor and Lipitor
Blood pressure drugs like Clonidine
Dementia versus Depression in the Elderly
We usually associate memory problems with aging. But memory problems are symptoms of both dementia and depression. It’s important to know the difference between these two conditions.
Dementia often causes these symptoms:
Mental decline that occurs gradually
Disorientation and confusion
Poor short-term memory
Speaking, writing and movement impairment
Lack of concern about loss of memory
The following are symptoms of depression:
Mental decline that occurs quickly
Consciousness of the date and time
Poor concentration
Slow movement and speech (though still normal)
Great concern about memory loss
It’s vital to get in touch with a physician immediately if loss of memory occurs, regardless of whether it’s caused by depression or dementia.
Diagnosis of Depression in the Elderly
Effective diagnosis of geriatric depression is not always easy. Older adults should visit their regular physician first. If they’re living in a home care facility, caregivers can help them watch out for symptoms of depression and nutrition-related problems in the elderly. A mental health expert can also analyze symptoms using the geriatric depression scale. This scale is a small survey that takes less than 10 minutes, and it reveals whether you or your elderly loved one needs to be treated for depression.
Get in Touch With Active Senior Care Today
At Active Senior Care, we offer specialized home care for the elderly. Our nurses and caregivers are trained to help you detect early signs of depression while providing special care for those who’ve been diagnosed with depression. For more information, visit our website to learn more about our home care services.