How to spot the signs and detect depression in elderly people
                     What is Depression?
Depression is a serious mood disorder. It can affect the way you feel, 
act and  think. Depression is a common problem among older 
adults, but clinical  depression is not a normal part of aging. In fact, 
studies show that most older  adults feel satisfied with their lives, 
despite having more illnesses or physical  problems than younger 
people. However, if you have experienced depression  when you 
were younger, you are more likely to have depression as an older  
adult.
Depression is serious and there are treatments available to help. For 
most  people, depression improves with treatment. Counseling, 
medications, or other  forms of Best depression treatment centers may 
help. You don't need to suffer:  there are help and treatment options 
available. Talk to your doctor if you think  you might have depression.
How do I know if it is depression?
Someone who is depressed has feelings of sadness or anxiety 
that last for  weeks at a time. He or she may also experience:
● Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism.
● Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness.
● Irritability, restlessness
● Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were previously 
pleasurable.
● Fatigue and decreased energy.
● Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making 
decisions.
● Insomnia, morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
● Overeating or losing appetite
● Suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts.
● Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive 
problems that  do not improve, even with treatment.
● Doctor talking to an older patient
How is Depression different in older adults?
Older adults are at greater risk. We know that about 80% of older 
adults have at  least one chronic health condition and 50% have two or 
more. Depression is  more common in people who also have other 
illnesses (such as heart disease or  cancer) or whose function becomes 
limited.
Older adults are often misdiagnosed and undertreated. Health care 
providers  may mistake an older adult's symptoms of depression as 
simply a natural  reaction to an illness or life changes that can occur 
as we age, and therefore do  not view depression as something that 
should be treated. Older adults  themselves often share this belief and 
do not seek help because they do not  understand that they could feel 
better with appropriate treatment.
What are the most common causes of depression in older adults?
Many factors can contribute to depression among older adults, such 
as a family  history of depression, lack of physical activity, sleep 
problems, and medical  conditions such as stroke or cancer, which are 
more common in older adults,  according to the National Institute on 
Health.
Types of loss that commonly affect older adults, explains Dr. Merrill, 
 include:
● Loss of a spouse, adult child, or other loved one
● Loss of a role in the workplace.
● Loss of previous personal health.
● Loss of previous abilities such as running or playing sports or 
games that  they previously loved.
How to help an older adult with depression
If you have noticed signs of depression in an older person close 
to you, try  talking to them about your concerns.
"The most important thing is to be able to develop a relationship where 
you can  talk about and normalize the symptoms of depression," says 
Carr. Bozek agrees,  adding that one of the biggest challenges in 
starting the conversation may be that  the person grew up in a time 
when admitting you had a mental health problem  was considered a 
character flaw.
"It's a huge taboo topic for our older population, and they still view 
behavioral  health as if you're sick in the head and there's a stigma 
associated with that  thinking," Bozek says. "And so we have to 
really change that way of thinking."
With this in mind, avoid starting the conversation by directly 
asking, "Are you  feeling depressed?" Instead, Carr suggests asking 
about the person's social  interactions.
"Basically, talking about the symptoms of depression is more 
accessible than just  saying, 'You seem depressed,' because that can be 
confrontational for some  people," Carr says.
You could ask:
● Do you enjoy spending time with others?
● What activities are you looking forward to lately?
● You don't seem like yourself today. What do you have in mind?
● If your loved one says they're feeling depressed, encourage them 
to talk to  their doctor about how they've been feeling, according 
to the National
Institute on Aging. If their doctor diagnoses them with depression, 
they can  refer them for professional treatment.
What treatments are available for depression in older adults?
Treatments for depression include medications, psychotherapy or 
counseling, or  electroconvulsive therapy or other newer forms of brain 
stimulation (such as  repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation or 
rTMS). Sometimes a combination  of these treatments can be used. 
Which option a doctor might recommend  depends on the type and 
severity of depression symptoms, previous treatments,  and general 
health, among other factors.
How do antidepressants relieve depression in older people?
Studies have found that while antidepressants can be helpful in older 
adults, they  may not always be as effective as in younger patients. 
Additionally, the risk of  side effects or possible reactions with other 
medications must be carefully  considered. For example, certain older 
antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and  imipramine, can be 
sedating, cause confusion, or cause a sudden drop in blood  pressure 
when a person stands up. This can cause falls and fractures.
Where can I get help or get more information?
For information and referrals to mental health services available 
at SOZO,  contact the Telehealth for mental health Service 
Information Call at
302-595-4924. This Confidential service is open 24 hours a day, 
seven days a  week.
The SOZO Mental Health Association offers information about 
depression and  other mental health issues, and the resources and 
support available in your  community. If you are concerned that an older 
person is experiencing anxiety or  depression, or simply not coping, 
then it is important to have a conversation. Your  support and concern 
can make a difference.