Relieving Depression in Seniors

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

11 Oct 2008 03:37 PM

If an older person in your care is diagnosed with depression, you may find it difficult to treat. Many seniors are resistant to the idea of being labeled as "mentally ill" and may refuse to participate in treatment.

Antidepressant medications tend to work well in senior citizens, but they're only part of the treatment. As my own doctor has told me, medication gets you to a stable place where therapy can actually help (and help keep you stable). One drawback of using antidepressants is the side effects. Dizziness can lead to falls -- a leading cause of death for seniors.

Convincing a senior of the benefit of talk therapy is another big hurdle. Older Americans tend to be very stoic about their mental problems for fear of being stigmatized for them. The doctor's explanation of how drugs and therapy work together may help, but in the end, you may need more than that. Having family members and friends discuss their concerns about the senior's depression may help. Say things like "it makes me sad to see you so unhappy" or "I wish you had the energy and interest in doing (a favorite activity) with me." It may help to demonstrate how the senior's depression has changed his or her relationships with others.

After the biggest two hurdles, there are other things you can do to help alleviate an older person's depression. Having social connections is a big one -- it can be very effective in keeping the depression from getting worse or coming back. Experts suggest:

• Don't let your senior eat alone. If you live close, make sure you have regular lunch and dinner dates together. Look into volunteer organizations that will bring meals over and provide companionship while they eat.
• Get your senior out of the house. Sitting home alone doing nothing isn't going to help! Volunteering (like reading to children at the library or helping at a hospital) can be great for a healthy but depressed older adult.
• Get your senior moving. Exercise has been shown to help relieve depression, and even limited exercise can be beneficial.
• Help your senior keep in touch with others online. If you think they can handle it, get them set up with email and/or an instant messaging program to keep in touch with family and friends far away.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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