The Blue that Creeps up on You: Depression & Aging

Look, there is no way around it, aging isn’t fun. You slowly lose the nimble capacity of brain and body, your senses decline and your social network dwindles due to not being in the workplace full-time, possibly being single and having family living away from the home. It’s no wonder depression is one of the 15 top concerns for adults 65 and over.

Depression is a mood disorder that can either be circumstance-specific (dealing with the grief of losing a loved one) and temporary or it can be chronic based on changes in the brain and accompanying chemistry.

Depression Can Lower Immunity

According to the American Psychological Association, 15 to 20 percent of Americans over 65 have experienced depression, a threat to senior health depression can lower immunity and can compromise a person’s ability to fight infections. In addition to treatment with medication and therapy to improve mood, possible solutions to improve senior living might be to increase physical activity or to interact more socially — seniors report spending just 8 to 11 percent of their free time with family and friends.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

Depression Can Make Symptoms Worse

Depression, especially in midlife or older adults, can co-occur with other serious medical illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions are often worse when depression is present. Sometimes medications taken for these physical illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression.

Treatment for depression includes medication and psychotherapy. Alternative treatments for depression include yoga, meditation, exercise and guided imagery. Exercise in particular has been shown to help with depression because it can lower stress and help produce natural “happy chemicals”, or endorphins, in the brain.

Below are some typical signs that may indicate depression. The symptoms need to be present for 2 weeks and not all symptoms need to be present together as individual situations vary.

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

• Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism

• Irritability

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

• Decreased energy or fatigue

• Moving or talking more slowly

• Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

• Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

• Appetite and/or weight changes

• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment

If you suspect depression in yourself or a friend or family member, take action. The sooner the situation is addressed the easier it is to treat.

Broad Street Can Help

Our personal home care assistants can help arrange activities, social engagement and exercise. Through our Professional Network, we can help you find a therapist or alternative treatments such as Yoga classes or Personal Trainers to add exercise to your day.

For more information, please call 847.728.0134.