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It is well known that aging comes with many stressors. The elderly are often subjected to stressful situations such as prolonged isolation and sadness. Also, they often have to deal with declining physical and/or cognitive health as they grow increasingly older. Some may not be able to function daily without the help of a family member or formal caregiver, which can hinder their sense of freedom and independence. Others might struggle with financial stress due to medical costs, their inability to work, or their transition into retirement. Because of this and other scenarios likely to occur, the elderly are very much susceptible to geriatric depression, or depression in older adults. It is estimated that 6 million people ages 65 years and older are clinically depressed in the U.S as of 2017, and it is considered to be a serious issue nationwide.
Symptoms and Risks?
As for what symptoms they might experience, signs of depression in seniors are similar to those in adults. For instance, they may experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, among other symptoms. However, older adults are likely to report insomnia, which can be a risk factor of depression and can be caused by some medications they may be taking. If you notice your loved one is experiencing this issue, it is important to consult their doctor to help them make the necessary adjustments.
Some other risk factors for depression include a loss of social support, which can be caused by isolation due to a lack of ability to travel or the death of friends and family. In fact, older adults most at risk for depression tend to be single, living alone and without social support. One study found that lonely older adults tend to require more intense medical care and show more symptoms than non-lonely older adults. This means that not only does loneliness increase their risk for depression, but it can have indirect ramifications to their physical health as well.
Other risks in the elderly can be effects from combining medications, family history of depression, chronic pain from health conditions, as well as medical damages caused by heart attacks, strokes, diabetes or cancer.
… caregivers themselves can experience poor mental health when caring for their family members, meaning caregivers should take preventative measures to ensure their mental health doesn’t decline.
Older Adults and Suicide
Additionally, having previously attempted suicide is another risk factor of depression. This is especially significant due to trends showing high rates of suicide in this age group, with people ages 80-84 years old showing double the suicide rate of the average population. Given these rates, It is evident that increased suicidal ideation is a serious issue affecting older adults. This is something that should be closely monitored to help keep your loved ones safe. This can be done by making sure they are clinically assessed if they show any signs of depression or suicidal thinking, and making sure they have adequate support.
Impact On Families and Caregivers
While making sure to be there for your aging loved one is important for both their physical and emotional health, it is significant to note that this may take a certain toll on a person. No one wants to see their loved one’s health decline, and having to be their main support system can cause one’s own health to suffer. This can be due to caregiver burnout, or the problem in which a caregiver does not practice self-care and instead dedicates most or all of their time to supporting others.
While some may view this to be a selfless or necessary act, it can be very detrimental. This is because a study found that the rates of elderly patients with depression are correlated with poor caregiver mental health. This means that caregivers themselves can experience poor mental health when caring for their family members, meaning caregivers should take preventative measures to ensure their mental health doesn’t decline. This can be done by practicing mindfulness, eating healthy, leaving time for hobbies and activities, and socializing. There are also support groups that can be available either in person or online for people who are caregivers for their ailing or elderly family members. Also, if possible, families should divide up caregiver responsibilities between family members or formal caregivers to prevent caregiver burnout from occurring.
The Key Take-away
When it comes to depression, seniors are particularly vulnerable given the unique stressors they face. As they approach the late end of their lives, they often experience losing multiple people they care about. Most likely, they also suffer from health conditions that can decrease their quality of life and might isolate them from others, leaving them homebound. This is why they need to have adequate support systems in place, and to make sure they get access to professional help in the case that they start presenting depressive symptoms.
Maintaining strong social ties is also important in terms of decreasing their risk for suicide as well, which is common to older adults possibly due to their increased rates of loneliness. Something as simple as spending more time with your older relatives or volunteering at a local retirement home (After COVID-19), can do a lot to help decrease their sense of loneliness. Finally, it is important for caregivers to also practice self-care and coping skills to help prevent caregiver burnout. After all, it’s hard to take care of someone else if you don’t take care of yourself!
