Caregivers often feel powerless when faced with depression in their loved ones. People looking after the elderly may not know what to do or say, and they may feel awkward broaching the topic. Although every individual situation is unique, there are some steps caregivers can take to help the elderly — and the people around them — manage their depression.

Is Depression in Old Age Inevitable?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), depression is not a normal part of aging. Unfortunately, depression occurs at higher rates in people with one or more chronic health conditions, and about 80 percent of older adults have at least one or more chronic health conditions, making them more likely to experience depression. Furthermore, depression itself can lead to or exacerbate chronic health disorders.

For example, depression may cause chronic conditions such as obesity or geriatric anorexia. Obesity may occur when an elderly parent overeats because of depression. With geriatric anorexia, older adults experience a major loss of appetite and increased tiredness, failing to maintain a healthy weight. Older adults with depression face an increased risk for memory loss, struggle with insomnia, and become dangerously forgetful.

What’s more, situational events that older adults experience may lead to depression. Older adults may experience loss through the death of close friends, a spouse, or family members. Living on a fixed income can lead to stress, which can spiral downward into depression. Increasing dependence and a loss of autonomy can also bring about symptoms of depression. Depression in old age may not be inevitable, but the chances of depression occurring during someone’s older years is high.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Depression in the Elderly?

Depression in older adults doesn’t present itself the same way that it does in younger people. While younger people may withdraw from social circles or appear sad, older adults often become uninterested in activities or show an unwillingness to discuss their feelings.

The National Institute on Aging lists the following as common signs of depression in the elderly:

• Decreased energy
• Disinterest in things they used to enjoy
• Sleep changes, like oversleeping or difficulty sleeping
• Moving slowly
• Taking slowly
• Unplanned weight gain or weight loss
• A persistent anxious or empty feeling
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Decreased appetite or increased appetite
• Thought of death
• Attempts at suicide

Caregivers who notice several of these signs lasting more than a few weeks should encourage their loved ones to see a health professional. Signs and symptoms of depression, if not addressed and treated, may lead to chronic illness or suicide.

Social Isolation and the Elderly

Social connections are essential for a person’s well-being. Despite this vital need for social ties, older adults may find themselves more and more isolated as they age. Loneliness and social isolation are linked to high rates of depression and suicide.

Prevent and Manage Depression in the Elderly

Once caregivers understand that depression isn’t a typical phase of aging, they can take the following steps to prevent and manage depression in their loved one.

Pet Therapy

Gifting a pet to an elderly parent may help to lift their spirits. Animals can offer 24/7 companionship. The Human and Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), which evaluates the benefits of animal interactions, states that having a pet reduces loneliness in older adults. According to HABRI,

• Pets reduce loneliness in 85% of people
• 80% of people say pets ease their loneliness
• 54% of people say their pets help build social connections

Having a pet, especially for older adults who live alone, may buffer against the effects of social isolation. Pets require attention and care, offering an older adult a sense of ownership, self-worth, and self-esteem.

Foster Social-Interaction

Even older adults who say they prefer living alone need consistent social connections. Children may want to meet with their elderly parents more frequently because time and attention are crucial to their physical and mental health. If unable to meet with their loved ones, caregivers can ask others to visit. Agencies like Qualicare have trained professionals who can assist caregivers foster social connections.

A combined effort between family and friends to stop by and visit can make all the difference. Family and friends can coordinate a routine schedule to ensure that their loved ones’ social needs are met. If possible, enrolling an elderly parent in a day program for older adults can also promote social connections.

Assist with Meal Preparation

For older adults, preparing and eating meals by themselves can be a lonely experience. Additionally, older adults can experience a significant loss in appetite, causing them to miss meals and lose weight. Caregivers need to encourage older adults to prepare simple meals for themselves, even if they don’t feel the immediate desire to eat.

Caregivers can also help prepare small meals to keep on hand for times when cooking is not feasible. Look into healthy foods they enjoy and diets that can reduce their depression. Diets like the low-sodium DASH diet are — have been shown to minimize the risk of depression and chronic illness.

Schedule Visits to the Doctor

Older adults may fail to follow up with their routine doctor’s visits or seek help for ailments. If possible, caregivers can help older adults attend these appointments to ensure that they’re assessed and treated.

Preventing further illness and treating existing conditions is important for controlling and managing depression in older adults. In addition to health assessments, a doctor may also address their depression by prescribing medications. Very often, doctors may offer other instructions to treat depression.

Self-Help for Caregivers

Although children want to ensure the best care for their elderly parents, it’s also essential to be mindful of their own mental health. Caring for older parents, especially if they’re depressed or have a chronic health condition, can take its toll on adult children.

Caregiver support groups and talk therapy can ease stress for loved ones. In addition, self-care activities help avoid caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue, which are conditions that can significantly compromise the care provided to a loved one.

Resources for Depression in Elderly Parents

Statistics from Mental Health America show that older adults are less likely to ask for help for depression compared to other age groups. In fact, less than half (42%) of older adults would look for assistance. Older adults are likely to try to “handle it themselves” rather than seek help from a mental health professional. Unfortunately, if left untreated, depression can lower a person’s quality of life and in severe cases can lead to suicide.

Being compassionate with older parents, inquiring about their emotions, and boosting their social interactions can reduce the symptoms of depression. With a little patience and a lot of love from their children, older parents can overcome this condition.

For information about more information about depression in older adults or where to get help:

American Psychological Association

800-374-2721 (toll-free)

202-336-6123 (TDD/TTY)

www.apa.org

Mental Health America

800-969-6642 (toll-free)

www.mentalhealthamerica.net

National Alliance on Mental Illness

800-950-6264 (toll-free)

www.nami.org

National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging (NCMHA)

309-531-2816

admin@ncmha.org

www.ncmha.org/

National Institute of Mental Health

866-615-6464 (toll-free)

866-415-8051 (TTY/toll-free)

nimhinfo@nih.gov

www.nimh.nih.gov

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

800-273-8255 (toll-free/24 hours a day)

800-799-4889 (TTY/toll-free)

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

877-726-4727 (toll-free)

800-487-4889 (TTY/toll-free)

samhsainfo@samhsa.hhs.gov

Resources:

CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/aging/depression/index.html

NIH: National Institute on Aging

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/depression-and-older-adults

CDC: Loneliness and Social Isolation

https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html

HABRI

https://habri.org/research/healthy-aging/mental-health/

Medical News Today

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321010

Frontiers in Psychology

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01748/full

Mental Health America

https://www.mhanational.org/depression-older-adults-more-facts