If an older person in your care is diagnosed with depression, you may find it difficult to treat. Many seniors are resistant to the idea of being labeled as “mentally ill” and may refuse to participate in treatment. Antidepressant medications tend to work well in senior citizens, but they’re only part of the treatment. As my own doctor has told me, medication gets you to a stable place where therapy can actually help (and help keep you stable). One drawback of using antidepressants is the side effects. Dizziness can lead to falls — a leading cause of death for seniors. … Continue reading →

The signs of depression in senior citizens can be subtle — especially if the person does not want to acknowledge that they have a problem. For today’s older adults, an admission of a mental problem like depression often meant a trip to an institution for care. That would make me reluctant to speak up, for sure. Knowing the warning signs of depression in seniors can help. Depression that comes late in life may not look like the depression seen in younger people. Watch for mood changes — especially in the wake of a major life change like moving, losing a … Continue reading →

Would your parent or grandparent tell you if they were depressed? According to statistics from the American Psychological Association’s Society of Clinical Geropsychology, most of today’s generation of seniors wouldn’t. Although many older people are quite free with talking about aches and pains, the idea of mental illness (like depression) is embarrassing. As many as seven million Americans over the age of sixty-five may be suffering from depression. Here’s some more bad news about older adults and depression: As much as ninety percent of the older Americans suffering from depression aren’t getting any help for it. The suicide rate for … Continue reading →