The Dark Side: 5 Things No One Tells You About Geriatric Depression

It is okay to feel sad and blue sometimes. These feelings are a normal part of everyday life. However, you should not confuse sadness with depression. Depression is a mood disorder wherein a person experiences profound sadness that lasts for weeks, months, or years.

Contrary to what other people think, depression does not discriminate. It can happen not only to young individuals but also to elders. This is what we refer to as “geriatric depression.” Let us get to learn more about this mental health issue. Allied Home Health Care, Inc. lays down some facts you should know about it.

1. Old age is inevitable, depression is not.
   Depression among the senior population is often left untreated because many family members believe that it is a natural part of aging. Old age is a normal part of life, but this does not mean to say that so is depression. It is not natural for your senior loved one to feel depressed. Depression is a mental health concern that needs to be addressed to in pronto.
2. Aging does not cure depression.
   They say that time heals all wounds. Sadly, it does not work that way all the time, especially when it comes to depression. Your loved one may have some traumatizing experience when they were younger that caused them to develop depression. Bottling it up will not make it go away. In fact, depression can worsen with age.
3. Geriatric depression is broadly different from depression in younger people.
   Depression among the younger group typically involves genetic and social learned behaviors. This is not true among the senior population. According to research, geriatric depression is linked to greater vascular and environmental origins. Furthermore, elders do not experience it the same way younger people do. Elders experience more physical and cognitive difficulties.
4. There are several signs that accompany geriatric depression.

   Many elders are unaware that they are struggling with depression. The reason is that they oftentimes mistake its symptoms as normal part of old age. Symptoms of geriatric depression can include the following:

   • Profound sadness
   • Social withdrawal
   • Sleep problems
   • Lack of concentration
   • Apathy
   • Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness
   • Irritability
   • Lack of energy
   • Changes in appetite
   • Decreased ability to care for self
   • Agitation
   • Anger
5. Geriatric depression can worsen the problems associated with aging.
   As we mentioned earlier, depression can worsen with age. It can also influence your aging loved one’s overall health. It can affect age-related health issues. For instance, arthritis is usually characterized by chronic pain (particularly, in the joints). Depression can increase the intensity of the pain. Let us take another example—heart disease. Depression can increase your senior’s blood pressure. High blood pressure is known to be one of the risk factors for heart disease.

Are you looking for a reliable Home Health Care Services in Quincy, MA? Allied Home Health Care, Inc. is one of the Certified Home Health Care Agencies in Massachusetts. We offer a wide array of care services suitable for your loved one’s needs. Go to www.alliedhealthcareinc.net/home-health-care-our-services for more information.