Depression represents one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in the US and can affect adults of any age. In fact, over 34 million Americans aged 65 or over currently have some form of depression, often triggered by factors such as social isolation or the effects of long-term physical health problems. If you suspect an older loved one is displaying depressive symptoms, there are things you can do to help them get better, such as enlisting the help of elderly assistance providers. We at Assisting Hands Home Care in West Austin have put together a practical guide to identify depression in seniors. Read below if you’re wondering where to start.

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that affects how people feel, think, and act. Symptoms range from prolonged unhappiness or joylessness to physical problems such as lack of appetite or constant fatigue. The most common forms of depression among people over 65 include:

• Major depressive disorder: If depressive symptoms last for more than two weeks and interfere with a person’s ability to perform everyday activities, they may have major depressive disorder.
• Medication-induced depressive disorder: Some medications (such as pain-relievers) can cause depressive symptoms in older adults.
• Persistent depressive disorder: This form of depression is characterized by persistent low mood lasting for at least two years. Unlike major depressive disorder, people with this form of depression are often able to perform everyday activities.
• Depression related to medical problems: Depression in older adults is sometimes related to long-term physical health problems such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, or heart disease.

What are the signs of depression in older adults?

Depression often manifests differently in older adults compared to the rest of the population, so it can easily go unrecognized. While many people with depression consider persistent sadness to be their primary symptom, seniors with depression often experience more of a general numbness and lack of interest in life. Key warning signs to look out for in older adults include:

• Loss of interest in hobbies they once enjoyed
• Fatigue or sluggishness
• Persistently “empty” or melancholic mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Irritability
• Inability to relax
• Talking more slowly or less often
• Difficulty making decisions or concentrating on simple tasks
• Insomnia or oversleeping
• Eating less (or more) than usual
• Suicidal ideation

If any of these symptoms last more than two weeks, your loved one could be suffering from depression.

What causes depression in seniors?

It is sometimes difficult to determine the cause of depression in older adults. Even small changes in brain chemistry can affect a person’s mood, seemingly out of the blue. However, depression in seniors can often be related to traumatic life events or stressful situations, many of which occur more frequently as we get older. These include:

• Lack of exercise
• The onset of medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, or cancer
• Stress associated with looking after a sick partner
• Deaths of friends, partners, or other loved ones
• Loneliness and social isolation
• Physical disabilities that prevent people from engaging in activities they used to enjoy

How to help a senior loved one with depressive symptoms

The good news is that there are many effective solutions and therapeutics available to older adults with depression. The first thing to do if you suspect a loved one is depressed is to seek professional help from a doctor, as they will be able to come up with an effective treatment plan. Once they’re on the road to recovery, you can help them in the following ways:

• Encourage physical activity: Attending a seniors’ dance class or going for a walk with your loved one will help them feel less isolated and improve their physical health.
• Invest in in-house care services: Elderly assistance professionals are accustomed to helping older adults with mental health struggles transform their lives. Ask your home healthcare aide to conduct regular mental health check-ins and share feedback with you. Sometimes, even a regular ten-minute chat with an aide can significantly reduce an elderly person’s feelings of isolation and loneliness.
• Organize social events for your loved one: If your family member’s depression is primarily the result of social isolation, why not hold regular social gatherings with their friends? Alternatively, find local book clubs or social groups for seniors and encourage your loved one to attend.
• Attend appointments: Attending mental and physical health appointments can be daunting and could exacerbate negative feelings in older people. As such, supporting a senior loved one at appointments could help them stay on track and enhance treatment outcomes.

Transform your loved one’s life with home health care in Austin

On the hunt for high-quality in-home senior care in Austin? If your senior family member could benefit from regular, thoughtful, and friendly assistance, the home healthcare aides at Assisting Hands West Austin are here to help. To find out more or discuss your situation with a trained professional, don’t hesitate to get in touch today by calling 512-999-7379 or contacting us on our website.