Depression is a growing health concern that does not discriminate. In any one year, around 1 million Australian adults have depression, and over 2 million have anxiety. Statistics show that individuals are more likely to suffer depression and anxiety as they age by as much as 10 to 15 percent. So how do you recognise depression in the elderly?
The contributing factors to depression in the elderly differ from other key demographics. For example, a decline in physical health, chronic pain, side-effects from medication, loss of loved ones or friends, isolation – little to no family contact, immobility are just some of the contributing factors that may cause depression in the elderly.
The signs of depression in the elderly may differ from depression among the general public. The contributing factors mentioned above are all inevitable life events common amongst the elderly. Often true depression can be overlooked and put down to part of the ageing process.
Some symptoms of depression in a senior person may include:
- Restlessness or slowing down
- Behaving out of character
- Lack of motivation
- Negative thoughts
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Neglecting responsibilities and self-care
- Disinterest in activities they once thrived on.
Physical symptoms of depression and anxiety
According to Beyond Blue, older people can tend to present with more physical symptoms of depression or anxiety. For instance, an older person may complain of physical ailments and difficulty sleeping rather than complaints of sadness. They may also use alternative language to refer to their feelings, such as referring to their nerves, rather than anxiety or sadness.
Physical symptoms can include:
- Digestive upsets, nausea, changes in bowel habits
- Feeling tired all the time
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Memory problems
- Unexplained pain
- Loss or change of appetite
How to help
Acting as a family member or friend is the first step to helping an elderly loved one get the help they may need.
Often it can be difficult to broach the subject or start the conversation with your elderly loved one. You can start the conversation off by describing what you have noticed in a non-confrontational manner, out of love and concern. From there you can help assist in booking an appointment with your loved ones GP to discuss these concerns and perhaps accompany them along to the appointment as a support person.