Introduction

Contributing Factors

Identifying Symptoms of Depression

Treatment

“Real” Intersection of Systems

Action Ideas That Work

Resource Links

Resource Pages

References

Introduction

As many seniors will tell you, growing old is not easy, mostly because aging is accompanied by progressive losses. These include the death of a spouse or close friends, chronic pain and illness, hearing loss, difficulty with mobility, memory loss, giving up driving, ending of cherished routines, and leaving a familiar home. Compounding losses often bring about a sense of dependency, loneliness, and sadness.

While time seems to pass quickly when we are younger, life begins to slow down as we age. Many older adults have few ways to fill their time, and the pains and losses of aging begin to consumer their thoughts. This can be the trigger to an illness called depression, a medical condition that is often ignored or misdiagnosed.

Many older individuals will not admit to signs and symptoms of depression for fear of being seen as weak or crazy. However, if a congregation member of any age complains about feeling “lousy”, has no interest in the little things of life, has trouble sleeping or sleeps all the time, or has changes in appetite, depression is a definite possibility.

Once detected, depression can usually be reversed through medical treatment and the support of social services, family, and friends. Undetected, it may lead complications, especially for those who refuse to acknowledge the symptoms and have limited access to social outlets.

Depressed moods, sadness and feelings of grief are normal reactions for elders due to the many losses experienced by those growing older. But when this depressed mood persists, and the pleasure of daily life is lost, it is important that the person talk to a mental health professional or physician to determine whether depression is the cause.

Many of us do not know that depression is the most commonly diagnosed emotional problem i. It affects one in 10 individuals each year ii. Almost one-fifth of all American will suffer from major depression at some point in life iii.

Elderly persons are particularly affected by depression iv:

• Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans age 65 and older, but only 10 percent receive treatment.
• The incidence of depression is thought to escalate to 50 percent or more in seniors facing major diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
• Older adults with depression are more likely to commit suicide than are younger people with depression. Individuals age 65 and older account for 19 percent of all deaths by suicide, with suicide rates in people ages 80 to 84 more than twice that of the general population. Elderly white men are at greatest risk, with depression being the single most significant risk factor for suicide in this population.
• Older patients with significant symptoms of depression have roughly 50% higher healthcare costs than non-depressed seniors.

Unrecognized and untreated depression has fatal consequences for some seniors. Many of the seniors who committed suicide had recently reached out for help. At least 20 percent saw a doctor the day they died, 40 percent the week they died, and 70 percent in the month they died. Unfortunately, the depressive symptoms suffered by these individuals, especially elderly men, remained well-hidden and untreated v.

A July 2001 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine brought light to the potential cardiovascular effects of depression in the elderly. Research conducted at Atlanta’s Emory University School of Medicine indicated that individuals aged 60+ with high blood pressure and depression are twice as likely to suffer heart failure than seniors with high blood pressure alone vi.

In addition, in 1999 the Surgeon General of the United States issued a report on mental health. He concluded that having physical conditions like stroke, cancer and dementia increase the risk of depression. But, in turn, depression also increases a person’s risk of developing other illnesses, especially those affecting the immune system, like infections vii.