The Dangers of Depression in the Elderly

As we age, medical illnesses and disabilities may also be linked with depression. Plus, aging can cause a loss of social support, as friends and family members pass on or move away. Doctors can miss signs of depression, since oftentimes they will mimic symptoms that can be associated with degenerative diseases and the basic aging process. Of course, if the symptoms are not recognized, treatment can be delayed, and the elderly person continues to suffer.

In the elderly, depression can last longer than it does in younger patients. The elderly also face a higher risk of death and suicide. Some patients in nursing homes will simply waste away, refusing to eat. Other studies have found that depression increases the risk of death from a heart attack. Because of this, any case of depression in the elderly should be evaluated and treated.

Depression is also not just limited to a handful of patients. Approximately six million seniors experience depression to some degree, though only ten percent of those will receive the treatment that they need. Depression can worsen conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason alone it is important to get it treated. The treatment is much more cost effective than the other option, as the health care costs of the depressed elderly are around 50 percent less than those who are not depressed.

There are several risk factors that can increase the chances of depression in the elderly. Fear of death as their health declines, a recent loss of a loved friend or family member, or the stress of living alone. Some medications and medication combinations can contribute to depression or suicidal feelings, so talk with your loved one should talk to his or her doctor if he or she feels these emotions after starting a new medication. Medical history can also make someone more likely to be depressed, including previous depression or suicide attempts, family history of depressive disorders, body damage from amputation or surgery, chronic pain, and more.

If your loved one does experience depression, there are several options for treatment. Antidepressants, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy are often the most successful, either alone or in combination.

You, as a family member, need to keep in mind that depression is an illness and not something to be ashamed of. Some seniors will forgo treatment because of the stigma attached to it. Other illnesses that they currently have may also make it difficult to treat. If you suspect that someone you love might be depressed, encourage them to talk to a doctor as soon as possible.

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