10 Tips for Recognizing Depression in the Aging
When your aging loved ones are dealing with the compromises and difficulty of growing older, it may be hard to catch and diagnose everything that is going on. Depression in seniors is common and may last longer than depression in younger people, which is why it is especially important to take notice if they are showing symptoms. But how can we catch it in time and give them the support they need?
Recognizing Depression in Seniors This Season
- Remember: depression doesn’t always mean being sad. While it seems logical to tie grief or sad feelings as the only symptoms, depression comes in many forms. Some people will show lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, lower energy levels and more. In the elderly, increased physical complaints are more commonly expressed as well–a symptom that is a predominant indicator of depression for this group of people.
- Pay attention to patterns in their behavior and mood, as depression is more dangerous and has more risk factors for the aging. Do they lack the excitement and enthusiasm for the holidays they once had? Are they less willing to leave the house or in more physical pain that prevents them from doing so? Do they complain about insomnia, another particularly common symptom of depression in seniors? Take notes on behavior patterns and make plans to speak with your doctor if things worsen.
- Consider recent life changes that could cause depression. Spousal or family deaths, painful times of memory or increased alone time could all be events that have contributed to this person’s change of behavior and possible depression. Sometimes, it may just be the time of year that is harder on them than usual–old age can bring many losses and times of isolation.
- What kinds of medications is your loved one taking? Depression in older adults can be caused by many kinds of medical conditions or a side effect of a medication. If you’re able to trace the feelings of depression back to a health-related issue such as a common medication, seek alternative options for treatment.
- Speak with an expert, such as a doctor or aging specialist, if you’ve caught the signs of depression and see them worsening.
Helping Seniors Through Depression During the Holidays
- Plan a mix of holiday activities. Isolation can be very hard for seniors living with depression, so make sure they are surrounded by friends and family often. Take them around town to see Christmas lights, plan a cookie-baking afternoon or watch old holiday movies. Carve out some time for them to see friends, family or others they don’t normally get to visit.
- Be realistic about travel and social plans. While it’s important to keep your aging loved ones engaged with activities around others, large crowds or long days on the road might take a larger toll on them. Speak with your doctor about what is healthy this holiday season.
- Spark conversation and listen. Although sometimes old memories bring back pain, it’s important to show them you really want to listen. Lend them an ear for anything and everything they want to talk about, as unlocking some of their favorite memories and holiday activities can help.
- Encourage them to stay healthy this holiday season by promoting healthy eating, exercise, limited alcohol and a good amount of sleep each night. Healthy habits can be hard to continue through the holiday season for anyone, but it can be especially damaging to the aging going through depression. If they are physically able, take a short walk once a day or help them prepare a new, healthy recipe.
- Take advantage of support by family, friends and community programs. Consider enrolling your loved one in a community program to give them the opportunity to interact with others–and give yourself a break. Or, if you want to learn more about how to deal yourself, consider finding a support group to lean on. Taking care of yourself is an important first step in taking care of your loved ones and many support groups are helpful for learning about what your loved ones may be going through.