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Depression in older adults

by Elizabeth on August 28th, 2007

Depression in older adults can be dismissed as just a normal part of getting older, but, as many people know, it’s a treatable illness.

Third Age has published a guide to Talking to Your Elderly Parents About Depression. It covers the basics of depression, signs and symptoms, how to talk about depression, and, it includes steps to take if your elderly parent is depressed.

Toward the end of my mother’s illness, I think she was depressed, and, it took me by surprise, a bit. She’d had various psychological issues during her life, but, during her alcoholism recovery, she beat them. When it became apparent her cancer was worsening, it was like she just began to fade away emotionally.

I asked her if she thought she was depressed, and, even though she had every reason to be, when she replied, “I think so”, I was blown away. I just wasn’t expecting it.

Her doctor agreed, and, she was prescribed an antidepressant, and, it was like she returned within days. While I understand it doesn’t always work like that, I just want to say not to hesitate to ask an older adult about it if they show signs of depression. There’s no need for someone to feel like that when they don’t have to, no matter their age.

(Thanks, Gayla!)

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POSTED IN: Aging, Healthcare