The good news is that aging alone does not trigger depression. The bad news is that depression in late life is rarely diagnosed by health care professionals.
June 30, 2004 (Press Release) --
The good news is that aging alone does not trigger depression. About 85-90% of people age 65 and older remain happy and well-adjusted (Source: American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry, 1997).
Research shows that depression can increase if one has serious medical conditions (25%), is hospitalized (23%), or is placed in a nursing home (up to 60%) (Geriatric Psychiatry Alliance, 1997). However, if depression is treated, the success rate can be as high as 85% with medication and talk therapy.
The bad news is that depression in late life is rarely diagnosed by health care professionals due in part to a large shortage of physicians trained in geriatric care and to the misperception that depression in late life is a normal part of aging. This age discrimination prevents seniors from receiving care that could greatly improve their quality of life (Source: Report on "Ageism: How Health Care Fails the Elderly," May, 2003).
In an article on health care bias against the elderly in the Cleveland Plain Dealer (May, 2003), "one study found that 75 percent of seniors who kill themselves do so within four weeks of having seen a physician." The article goes on to report that Medicare also discriminates by requiring 50% co-pay for behavioral health services but only 20% co-pay for medical care.
So what can be done? First, learn to watch for symptoms whether you are a caregiver or someone getting up in years. I use the mnemonic, SIG-E-CAPS, to help remember the symptoms when I do depression screenings. see North Coast Conflict Solutions
S-Sleep interruption, can't get to sleep, can't fall asleep, can't stay asleep, sleep too much
I-Lack of interest in activities once meaningful.
G-Excessive guilt
E-Low energy….always tired though blood and other tests come back negatitive that would attribute to this level of fatigue
C-Inability to concentrate… easily distracted, mind wanders
A-Low or excessive appetite
P-Psychomotor retardation or agitation (either very slow gait with obvious sad looks or easily excitable, nervous, fidgety, can't sit still, rocks in place, etc.
S-Suicidal thoughts, gestures, or attempts
Second, if a person has had a bout of major depression earlier in life, it is not uncommon to have another episode in later years. Each episode increases the chances of having another, though there may be many years between depressions.
Third, think about the high success rate for treated depressions (remember, 85-90%), and get some help from a counselor who specializes in geriatric behavioral health. Start with a depression screening; the counselor will be able to tell if you need to see a psychiatrist to get on medication. Some people benefit from talk therapy only; others may require medication if they have a medical imbalance. Continue reading at Depression
Research shows that depression can increase if one has serious medical conditions (25%), is hospitalized (23%), or is placed in a nursing home (up to 60%) (Geriatric Psychiatry Alliance, 1997). However, if depression is treated, the success rate can be as high as 85% with medication and talk therapy.
The bad news is that depression in late life is rarely diagnosed by health care professionals due in part to a large shortage of physicians trained in geriatric care and to the misperception that depression in late life is a normal part of aging. This age discrimination prevents seniors from receiving care that could greatly improve their quality of life (Source: Report on "Ageism: How Health Care Fails the Elderly," May, 2003).
In an article on health care bias against the elderly in the Cleveland Plain Dealer (May, 2003), "one study found that 75 percent of seniors who kill themselves do so within four weeks of having seen a physician." The article goes on to report that Medicare also discriminates by requiring 50% co-pay for behavioral health services but only 20% co-pay for medical care.
So what can be done? First, learn to watch for symptoms whether you are a caregiver or someone getting up in years. I use the mnemonic, SIG-E-CAPS, to help remember the symptoms when I do depression screenings. see North Coast Conflict Solutions
S-Sleep interruption, can't get to sleep, can't fall asleep, can't stay asleep, sleep too much
I-Lack of interest in activities once meaningful.
G-Excessive guilt
E-Low energy….always tired though blood and other tests come back negatitive that would attribute to this level of fatigue
C-Inability to concentrate… easily distracted, mind wanders
A-Low or excessive appetite
P-Psychomotor retardation or agitation (either very slow gait with obvious sad looks or easily excitable, nervous, fidgety, can't sit still, rocks in place, etc.
S-Suicidal thoughts, gestures, or attempts
Second, if a person has had a bout of major depression earlier in life, it is not uncommon to have another episode in later years. Each episode increases the chances of having another, though there may be many years between depressions.
Third, think about the high success rate for treated depressions (remember, 85-90%), and get some help from a counselor who specializes in geriatric behavioral health. Start with a depression screening; the counselor will be able to tell if you need to see a psychiatrist to get on medication. Some people benefit from talk therapy only; others may require medication if they have a medical imbalance. Continue reading at Depression
Email
Print
SPAM
LEAVE A COMMENT
