Depression in Older Adults

Experts estimate that 15 out of every 100
adults will experience a depressive episode at
some point during their elderly years.
Depression is not a normal part of aging, and
it should not go overlooked and untreated in
older adults. If you are an older adult with
depression, help is available. Let’s try and
understand this condition a little better.
Sometimes people get sad, have a brief blue
mood, become disappointed, and experience
grief after losing a loved one. Depression is
different. Depression is not just a case of the
“blues”. People who are sad or grieving
typically can continue with their usual daily
routines. Depressed people have symptoms
over a longer period of time that interferes
with their ability to function like they
normally do.

Depression is a disease that requires medical
attention and treatment. If left untreated in
older adults, depression can:
􀀻 Lead to disability
􀀻 Worsen symptoms of other illnesses
􀀻 Increase the possibility of premature death
􀀻 Increase the risk of suicide

Depression is often overlooked and left
untreated. This sometimes happens because
people may believe that depression is a
normal part of aging. As a result, older adults


continue holding onto the belief that they
have to “stay strong and tough it out.”
People of all ages need to understand that
telling loved ones or healthcare professionals
about symptoms of depression is not a sign of
personal weakness or a character flaw. Telling
people that you are having symptoms of
depression is an extremely important first step
to getting help and getting better.

Among older adults suffering from
depression, the following symptoms may be
seen:
􀀻 Persistent sadness
􀀻 Feelings of worthlessness or helplessness
􀀻 Feeling slowed down
􀀻 Excessive worries about health and
financial problems
􀀻 Frequent tearfulness
􀀻 Changes in weight
􀀻 Pacing and fidgeting
􀀻 Difficulty sleeping
􀀻 Difficulty concentrating
􀀻 Physical problems
􀀻 Recurring thoughts of suicide or death
Some of the following medical conditions can
trigger depression in older adults:
􀀻 Cancer
􀀻 Parkinson’s disease
􀀻 Heart disease
􀀻 Stroke
􀀻 Alzheimer’s disease
􀀻 Arthritis
􀀻 Diabetes
􀀻 Physical disabilities

There are 2 main treatments for depression:
􀀻 Counseling – psychotherapy
􀀻 Medication – antidepressants

For some people, either treatment may be
sufficient. For others, the most effective
therapy is a combination of the two.
In addition to therapy and medication, there
are other things depressed people can do to
start feeling better.

These include:
􀀻 Exercising
􀀻 Improving their diet
􀀻 Establishing a full-night sleeping schedule
􀀻 Reducing or eliminating caffeine and
alcohol.

To find out which of these options might be
right for you, talk with your healthcare
provider.

For more information about depression,
contact the following organizations:
􀂙 National Institute of Mental Health
1-800-421-4211 or www.nimh.nih.gov
􀂙 National Mental Health Association
1-800-969-6642 or www.NMHA.org

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