All age groups are prone to depression and the elderly are no different. However, it is only recently that significant studies have been conducted to determine the occurrence and form that depression takes in the elderly.
Studies of residents in nursing homes estimate that up to 20% of residents may be suffering from major depression. Depression can sometimes slowly develop over a long period of time, and thus go unrecognized until the condition becomes quite severe. This is especially the case in the elderly, who may easily put down their change of mood to the aging process. Depression in the elderly parent may also not be recognized by their adult children with whom they have regular interaction: again the change may be so subtle that even their own family does not instantly identify the illness.
Late onset depression, that is, depression occurring after the age of around 60, is characterized by marked sleep difficulties, hypochondriasis (i.e. the individual misinterprets normal bodily feelings as that of a real illness), and anxiety and agitation. It can be difficult to readily diagnose depression in the elderly as the symptoms may be masked by a pre-existing physical ailment or by the early stages of dementia. Nevertheless, it is important to seek treatment if depression is suspected.
The incidence of depression in the elderly is slightly lower than for other age groups, and this is often attributed to the lower overall levels of life stresses in the older age brackets. However, anxiety disorders frequently go hand in hand with depression in the elderly and thus treatment will be required for both conditions.
Although the elderly are often overlooked in terms of treatments for many illnesses, both physical and emotional, it is important to treat depression in the elderly since a close link has been noted between depression and premature death. In other studies, depressed elderly patients have been shown to take longer to recover from physical ailments and require longer hospital stays than their non-depressed peers.
Where females suffer from depression in greater numbers in adolescence and early adulthood, it is after the age of around 65 that male depression increases and the gender balance is restored for the first time since childhood. Thus depression in the elderly hits both males and females in roughly equal numbers.
Treatment for depression in the elderly is similar to that of all age groups. Medication may be required in cases of major depressive disorder, but often counseling and a change of lifestyle will improve mood in the elderly. Loneliness and a feeling of uselessness contribute to depression and elderly sufferers often respond well to increased social interaction.
Opportunities to help younger age groups in terms of skill sharing can also bring a new lease of life and self-esteem to the depressed elderly individual. In this regard, health care professionals, family, friends, and community groups can be invaluable in improving the life of the depressed aged person.
Contact Beth McHugh for further assistance regarding this issue.
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