No demographic group is exempt from depression. Elderly depression statistics show that as many as 15% of all elderly people suffer from depression. The many life changes they go through can explain this high rate. Depression in the elderly can be caused by the loss of loved ones, the loss of autonomy, chronic illnesses, social isolation, as a side effect to prescription drugs, etc. Many of the elderly depression symptoms are the same as for younger adults while they have some particularities. Furthermore, some of the symptoms are similar to those of dementia which can complicate diagnosis. Additionally, certain tips are available in order to be better prepared for the difficulties of aging.
Depression is a disabling mental illness that can potentially affect each and every one of us. It crosses all demographics; women, men, children and the elderly. Many people believe that elderly depression is a normal part of aging. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Depression isn’t normal no matter your age, gender or ethnic background. On the other hand, depression in the elderly is more prevalent than in younger adults. This difference can potentially be due to the many life changes older people go through. Their physical health, many losses, social isolation and lack of purpose can also be to blame in some cases. Furthermore, in addition to the conventional symptoms (helplessness, sadness, and hopelessness) associated with depression, some particularities rise up in the face of elderly depression. Also, because some of the elderly depression symptoms are similar to those of dementia, depression can often go undiagnosed.
Elderly Depression Causes:
Through every stage of life, we go through changes. In most cases these changes are for the better, they enrich our lives. When you become an elderly, these changes can, in many cases create stress and impact the mood negatively. Here is a list of possible life changes older people have to face:
- Death of a life partner, loved one and friends: The elderly are constantly challenged with the death of someone dear to them. This causes them grief and concern about their own death.
- Having to leave their house to move into an apartment or a retirement home.
- The loss of independence and mobility
- Lack of purpose: Often times, the elderly have a difficult time adjusting to retirement and long for a sense of responsibility.
- Social isolation: older people need to be heard and understood
- Loss of many roles: As an employee, a life partner, a special friend
- Elderly abuse or neglect
Decline in health and medical condition: Certain medical conditions and illnesses, especially if they are chronic, painful and life threatening, can lead to depression.
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Cardiac diseases
- Dementia
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes
- Lupus
- Thyroid disorder
These medical conditions are some examples of the types of medical conditions that can lead to depression. Furthermore, depression can be part of dementia or as part of the side effects due prescription drugs.
Elderly Depression Symptoms:
Depression symptoms are similar at every age. These include but are not limited to:
- Sadness
- Feeling of helplessness
- Feeling of worthlessness
- Feeling of guilt
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Significant weight change
- Significant change in appetite
- Lack of motivation
- Lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities
- Suicidal thoughts
- Lack of energy
- Chronic pain
- Headaches
- Digestive problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Impatience
When we look into depression in the elderly, there are certain particularities. For example, many elderly diagnosed with depression report that they do not feel sadness but rather a lack of motivation and energy. Furthermore, older people with depression are more likely to complain about physical ailments such as: arthritis, increasing headaches, digestive problems.
In addition to the listed symptoms above, here is a list of signs and symptoms that are particularly linked to elderly depression:
- Aches and pains that are aggravated for no apparent reason
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Feelings of helplessness
- Decrease in motivation and energy
- Eating less, wasting food
- Slowed movements and speech
- Lack of interest in socializing
- Neglect of personal care; skipping medication and/or meals, not bathing as often.
Unfortunately there is a common assumption that memory loss and the decline in mental sharpness are part of getting old. Actually, research findings contradict this myth. Loss of memory and of mental sharpness is most likely caused by dementia or depression. Often times, these two diseases (dementia and depression) are difficult to tell apart because of their similar symptoms such as slowness of speech and movements, as well as lack of motivation.
This table help differentiating both diseases and their particularities:
TABLE 05-01-01-a: Depression versus dementia symptoms
|
DEPRESSION |
DEMENTIA |
| Rapid mental decline | Slow mental decline |
| Knows the time, date and location | Gets lost in familiar settings, disoriented |
| Difficulty concentrating | Difficulty with short term memory |
| Normal motor skills( reading, writing, language) | Impairment of motor skills |
| Is concerned with his/her memory problems | Doesn’t notice or care about memory problems |
Both of these illnesses require treatment, if you are concerned with your mental health or are experiencing some of these symptoms, treatment is available. Please consult a health care professional.
Elderly Statistics and Tips
Here are some interesting statistics regarding elderly depression:
- Up to 15% of elderly people have depression
- 25% of elderly people who live in retirement homes have depression
- 7 million elderly are diagnosed with depression every year
- Elderly women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men
- Elderly people with depression are the demographic group that are more likely to commit suicide.
- 25% of all suicide attempts are committed by the elderly.
Here are some tips that can be useful to prevent the onset of depression within the elderly population:
- Maintain a healthy diet that procures the essential nutriments allowing for an energetic lifestyle.
- Get sufficient sleep. Expert suggest 7 to 9 hours sleep
- Go out and about; continue doing the activities that you like or start new ones. This will help you stay socially active and prevent isolation.
- Volunteer: Helping others give us a sense of purpose and increase our overall mood.
- Adopt a pet: A pet can be a good companion, provide a source of exercise (walks) and give you a sense of responsibility.
- Exercise: Exercise is a proven mood enhancer as it increases your levels of serotonin. In fact, expert studies demonstrate that aerobic exercise three (3) times a week can be as efficient in treating depression as anti-depressants.
In short, no one is exempt from depression. The elderly face many life challenges that can be difficult to deal with. This can be a reason why 15% of the elderly suffer from elderly depression. While certain symptoms are particular to the elderly, the treatments are the same as for younger adults. The only distinctiveness is that when dealing with elderly depression, it is strongly recommended to go to the root of source of the depression. Since older people have to go through many life adjustments it is important for them to try to keep a balanced lifestyle.