October is Depression Awareness Month_ The Impact of Depression on Seniors
Depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, think, and act. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and decrease your ability to function at work and at home. While depression can impact people of all ages, seniors are at a higher risk. As we age, we often face more health problems, loss of loved ones, and life changes that can trigger depression. That’s why it’s essential to understand how depression impacts seniors and what we can do to help during Depression Awareness Month this October.
At Thrive USA Homecare, our caregivers see firsthand the effects of depression on the seniors we serve throughout Maryland. We aim to increase awareness and provide compassionate care to depressed elderly in the communities we serve.
Prevalence of Depression in Seniors
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about 1 in 6 adults over the age of 60 suffer from depression. However, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in seniors. Older adults tend to have more medical conditions like heart disease, strokes, and diabetes that can complicate diagnosis. They are also less likely to report feelings of sadness or grief and more likely to report physical symptoms instead. Cultural factors may also contribute, as many view depression as a normal part of aging. But the truth is, depression should never be considered a normal part of growing older.
Contributing Factors to Senior Depression
A number of factors put seniors at higher risk for depression. As we age, we often face more medical problems, functional impairments, pain issues, and memory loss that can affect mood. The loss of loved ones and decreased social interactions as we retire and friends pass on also contribute. Changes in the brain and body as well as medications and genetics also play a role. Understanding the causes helps prevent senior depression and determine the best treatment options.
At Thrive USA Homecare, our trained caregivers can often recognize these contributing factors to depression in the seniors we work with. We monitor their physical, mental, and emotional states to identify changes that may point to depression.
Signs and Symptoms
How can you identify depression in an older loved one? Common symptoms in seniors include:
- Persistent sadness, frequent crying, or grief
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Changes in appetite and dramatic weight loss or gain
- Disrupted sleep habits like insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Fatigue, lethargy, and lack of motivation
- irritability, frustration, and mood swings
- Withdrawal from social interactions
- Feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, or hopelessness
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Thoughts of suicide
Our caregivers at Thrive USA Homecare are trained to recognize these signs and symptoms of depression in our senior clients. We understand that symptoms may develop gradually or seniors may hide their feelings. Getting them help promptly is our priority. Our caregivers support depressed seniors through transportation to medical appointments, monitoring medication, providing social engagement, and assisting with lifestyle changes to improve depression. We customize our care plans to the unique needs of each individual.
This October for Depression Awareness Month, let’s commit to understanding senior depression, reducing stigma around mental illness, supporting those in need, and reminding our loved ones they are not alone. With greater awareness and care from providers like Thrive USA Homecare, we can make a positive difference in the lives of seniors.