Recognising Depression in Older People

Submitted by Alice Lucey of Be Independent Home Care

The topic of depression has become much more widely discussed in recent years, although it is something that has existed for generations. We are increasingly seeing young adults opening up about their experiences of depression, using social media to tell their stories, but what about older adults who don’t utilise the same access to the wider world? It’s quite likely that they are literally suffering in silence.

This could be the case for several reasons. Older people might be inclined to dismiss depression as an inevitable aspect of ageing, or they might be reluctant to talk openly about it for fear of appearing weak or upsetting younger relatives. Also, it’s likely that they were brought up not to speak only about such delicate matters, but rather to channel them into something more constructive.

It might happen that they are genuinely unaware of their depressed feelings, or they could experience the opposite scenario of being acutely aware of their depression and yearning to tell someone about it, only to be shut down by the absence of a listening ear.

That’s why it’s so important for us to make time for older relatives. Spending one hour a week with Grandma or Grandpa shouldn’t feel like a chore; rather, it’s a time that we ought to cherish, because they will cherish it to the extent that it might well be the highlight of their week. Also, spending time with older relatives allows us to evaluate their mood, and could enable us to detect possible warning signs of depression. These include:

Feelings of sadness
Unexplained aches and pains
Little or no interest in socialising
Loss of appetite
Erratic sleeping patterns (too little/too much/inconsistent sleep)
Loss of self-esteem
Frequent use of alcohol or drugs
Problems with speech or memory
Disregard for personal care
Suicidal thoughts or comments

It can happen that depression and dementia become thought of as the same thing, but while there are numerous shared symptoms between the two, the differences which distinguish one from the other are notable. This chart identifies some of the key differences between depression and dementia so that we are better able to determine which condition might be afflicting our elders.

Dementia
Depression

Mental decline occurs gradually.
Mental decline happens quite rapidly.

The person is often confused and has little or no awareness of his/her environment.
The person is fully aware of his/her environment.

The person has difficulty with short-term memory.
The person has difficulty in concentrating on the present.

The person’s writing, speaking and motor skills are severely diminished.
The person’s communication skills are slower than usual but not severely diminished.

The person isn’t aware of his/her short-term memory problems, nor is he/she overly concerned.
The person recognised his/her memory problems and is very worried about same.

If we suspect that an older relative is suffering from depression, or if they tell us straight out, try to work with them so that we can find a pathway through the storm together. One of the best cures for depression is activity; while it might seem difficult to summon the motivation to get out and about when we’re feeling low, having something constructive on which to focus our attention can be massively helpful. By taking care of a pet, volunteering with a local cause, or spending time learning a new skill, we can find a renewed purpose in life.

Another way to improve mental wellbeing is by looking after our physical health. Daily exercise can be a huge help, and it doesn’t need to be strenuous. Even a short walk of 15-30 minutes every day makes us feel much fitter and more refreshed. Plus, a healthy diet makes a massive difference. We know that we shouldn’t overindulge in sugary foods or drinks, yet many of us fall into the same dietary traps repeatedly. Banishing alcohol is a positive step, too; drinking might seem like an instant cure, but it’s much more likely to result in exacerbated feelings of depression afterwards.

Older relatives might be limited in how much they can help themselves, so our input could make the world of difference to them. If they physically cannot cook, prepare meals for them or invite them over for dinner. If there’s an activity that can be done together, why not give that a go? The more time we spend with older relatives, the stronger our connection becomes, and the better chance they have of overcoming depression.

We cannot always be there for our elders, as we have our own lives to lead too, but it is only by making time for them that we will be alerted to potential feelings of depression so that we can then help them through their sadness.

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