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Senior’s Mental Health: Nothing to be Depressed About

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With major illnesses, social isolation and grief over losing loved ones often tarnishing their golden years, some seniors find themselves struggling with depression. Contrary to popular opinion, depression is not a normal part of aging, and those who believe it is perpetuate unnecessary suffering in silence. Many seniors ignore their symptoms to avoid the stigma associated with mental illness, while others associate their feelings with signs of dementia. Moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home can be highly distressing, and this transition can be a trigger for depression. In my days as a respite provider for developmentally disabled adults, several of my clients lived in nursing homes and struggled with mental disorders. Dealing with mental illness is difficult, but facing them without a strong support system borders on impossible.

For those baby boomers who think seeking help for their parents is a form of airing dirty laundry or admitting weakness, it can be challenging to acknowledge a problem. In today’s society, taking medication and venting emotions to friends or therapists has become a form of mental house cleaning. Seniors are slowly warming to the idea, but it’s going to take some time. For this reason, caregivers, friends and family members must seriously heed early warning signs, such as changes in eating and sleeping habits, unexplained apathy or lethargy, frequent social withdrawal, trouble concentrating, failure to take medications responsibly, preoccupation with death, overt risk-taking and inability to experience or express joy. Although you cannot force your loved one to admit a problem or seek help, you can express your concern, involve them in group activities and encourage them to discuss their feelings.

Awareness is only the first step in a multifaceted process. In this series, we’ll take a look at the statistics, review local and national resources, dissect mental health treatment in long term care and examine the link between depression and diabetes. It’s never too late to address an issue that detracts from your quality of life. I hope this series will make that process a little easier.

Be aware, be well, be happy—

Lori Deschene

Posted in: Assessment & Warning Signs, Senior Depression

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