How to help elderly with depression

What are the best antidepressants for the elderly? What do you need to know about elderly depression? How to help seniors fight depression? Many seniors go through major life changes that could make them more vulnerable to depression.

But it’s heartbreaking to stand by and watch someone deal with depression or loneliness on their own. Zara Lewis shares ways you can help your older adult cope with symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Many family caregivers, like Kendra, feel powerless, because they don’t know how to help an elderly person with depression. While every situation is different, there are a few things to try that can really make a difference for them. When you think of depression in the elderly, what comes to mind?

View All Start Slideshow. Because older adults are at risk for depression, are underserved by the. Elderly patients might also be reluctant to talk about their feelings or fail to understand that physical symptoms can be a sign of depression.

For elderly people living independently, isolation can make it difficult to reach out for help. Clinical depression in the elderly is common.

Late-life depression affects about million Americans ages and older. But only receive treatment for depression. All these factors can cause depression to go undiagnosed or untreated in older people.

Yet, treating the depression will help an older adult better manage other conditions he or she may have. There are many symptoms associated with depression, and some will vary depending on the individual. Geriatric depression is a mental and emotional disorder affecting older adults. Feelings of sadness and occasional blue” moods are normal.

However, lasting depression is not a typical part of. How do I help someone with depression ? If you know someone who has depression , first help him or her see a doctor or mental health professional. Several ways you can help an older adult with depression is to: Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement. But many people experience it at some point in their lives and are capable of overcoming it completely. Depression can be a scary word and diagnosis to face.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that elderly depression is not only widespread but “a serious public health concern. Recent research suggests that as many as of elders – that’s 6. Americans-suffer from depression , and still more, , report that they suffer from persistent feelings of sadness. Elderly depression often goes untreated or is misdiagnosed.

Yet, people over age are more likely to be depressed than younger people. As the population of the United States. Learn about depression and aging and what depression treatment works best for seniors. Learn how to detect symptoms of depression to help and care these elderly people.

Ways to Help Someone Who’s Depressed. By recognizing the signs of depression , you can be a great help to a friend or loved.