We all look forward to living a long and healthy life. However, even if our physical health is good, we still may have to deal with other illnesses in our later years. These emotional and physical changes we go through as we age could result in depression. As a matter of fact, depression is very common in elderly people.
People often say that they look forward to their senior years. They want to retire and spend time with family and friends. Life is entering a new phase that they are embracing wholeheartedly.
This cheerful, optimistic attitude is not the case with everyone. Life as an older person brings unique challenges and struggles. Life doesn't always go as planned. The difficulties of an uncertain future may bring on sadness as we grow older. That sadness may continue to worsen until it becomes depression.
Let's look at a few of the causes of depression in the elderly:
1.Loss of loved ones – Suffering through the death of a loved one is a bit different for the elderly than at other ages. Losing friends your own age, and possibly your spouse, will tend to remind an elderly person of their own mortality. Not only will an elderly person suffer the loss, but will experience loneliness at the same time they are examining their life and the limited time they have left on earth. You can see why this is a particularly difficult and serious event for the elderly.
2.Loss of independence – Many elderly fear this more than they do death. Not being able to care for oneself means that someone else has to do it for you. Family members may be willing and able to care for their elderly parents, but the elderly may not want to give up their independence and control of their own life. The day-to-day decisions that the elderly made for themselves for all those years may now be in someone else’s hands. A person who once ran a business, raised a family, flew combat missions, performed surgeries, or built a town is going to suffer a great deal if their independence is taken away from them as they age.
3.Illness – When we get older, recovering from an illness or injury takes more and more time, with the outcome oftentimes discouraging. A simple accident like a fall can fracture a hip, back, or pelvis which can result in long-term care in a nursing facility. Being in pain constantly and facing debilitation can lead to a great deal of sadness and frustration. These feelings may in time worsen and grow into a full-blown depression.
Even with these obvious causes of depression in the elderly, many people of advanced years are not diagnosed with depression. The reason may be because the elderly are hesitant to discuss their feelings with their doctor. This may be the way they were brought up, keeping feelings inside because no one wants to listen to them complain.
The elderly may not share their feelings about being depressed with anyone because they don’t want to burden loved ones. The elderly may not want to discuss depression with their doctor because therapy can cost money and they are on a fixed income. They may believe that they will be forced to give up their independence if others knew they might be depressed. The elderly may also hide their symptoms because they view it as a sign of weakness. There are many reasons that an elderly person may hesitate sharing their concerns about depression.
What can you do to help?
Stay in contact with your aging loved ones. It is the best way to tell if there are changes in their mood, behavior and general state of mind. Avoid openly asking them if they are depressed. They may hide their feelings for fear they will be forced to do something they do not want to do.
Instead of asking your elderly loved ones straight out how they feel or if they're depressed, just talk to them. Offer suggestions if you see an area you can improve that can make things more hopeful in their lives. Spend time with them doing activities that they like. Get involved with them in a senior or community center where they can be with others their own age. Seek treatment and living options that enable them to keep their independence for as long as possible.
Our elderly loved ones may be suffering from depression if they have experienced any of the events discussed here. The elderly are less likely to turn to their doctor or their family about their feelings or concerns about depression. It's your job to know the causes of depression in the elderly so that you can give your loved ones the help they need.
People often say that they look forward to their senior years. They want to retire and spend time with family and friends. Life is entering a new phase that they are embracing wholeheartedly.
This cheerful, optimistic attitude is not the case with everyone. Life as an older person brings unique challenges and struggles. Life doesn't always go as planned. The difficulties of an uncertain future may bring on sadness as we grow older. That sadness may continue to worsen until it becomes depression.
Let's look at a few of the causes of depression in the elderly:
1.Loss of loved ones – Suffering through the death of a loved one is a bit different for the elderly than at other ages. Losing friends your own age, and possibly your spouse, will tend to remind an elderly person of their own mortality. Not only will an elderly person suffer the loss, but will experience loneliness at the same time they are examining their life and the limited time they have left on earth. You can see why this is a particularly difficult and serious event for the elderly.
2.Loss of independence – Many elderly fear this more than they do death. Not being able to care for oneself means that someone else has to do it for you. Family members may be willing and able to care for their elderly parents, but the elderly may not want to give up their independence and control of their own life. The day-to-day decisions that the elderly made for themselves for all those years may now be in someone else’s hands. A person who once ran a business, raised a family, flew combat missions, performed surgeries, or built a town is going to suffer a great deal if their independence is taken away from them as they age.
3.Illness – When we get older, recovering from an illness or injury takes more and more time, with the outcome oftentimes discouraging. A simple accident like a fall can fracture a hip, back, or pelvis which can result in long-term care in a nursing facility. Being in pain constantly and facing debilitation can lead to a great deal of sadness and frustration. These feelings may in time worsen and grow into a full-blown depression.
Even with these obvious causes of depression in the elderly, many people of advanced years are not diagnosed with depression. The reason may be because the elderly are hesitant to discuss their feelings with their doctor. This may be the way they were brought up, keeping feelings inside because no one wants to listen to them complain.
The elderly may not share their feelings about being depressed with anyone because they don’t want to burden loved ones. The elderly may not want to discuss depression with their doctor because therapy can cost money and they are on a fixed income. They may believe that they will be forced to give up their independence if others knew they might be depressed. The elderly may also hide their symptoms because they view it as a sign of weakness. There are many reasons that an elderly person may hesitate sharing their concerns about depression.
What can you do to help?
Stay in contact with your aging loved ones. It is the best way to tell if there are changes in their mood, behavior and general state of mind. Avoid openly asking them if they are depressed. They may hide their feelings for fear they will be forced to do something they do not want to do.
Instead of asking your elderly loved ones straight out how they feel or if they're depressed, just talk to them. Offer suggestions if you see an area you can improve that can make things more hopeful in their lives. Spend time with them doing activities that they like. Get involved with them in a senior or community center where they can be with others their own age. Seek treatment and living options that enable them to keep their independence for as long as possible.
Our elderly loved ones may be suffering from depression if they have experienced any of the events discussed here. The elderly are less likely to turn to their doctor or their family about their feelings or concerns about depression. It's your job to know the causes of depression in the elderly so that you can give your loved ones the help they need.
