Written by Mike Price, OT
Depression is something that many people experience at some point in their lives, either chronically, seasonally, or temporarily. Unlike regular periods of sadness that everyone has once in a while, depression is a real illness resulting from an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) outlines the following criteria for depression. In order to be diagnosed with depression, a person must be experiencing five or more of these symptoms within a two-week period, with at least one of the symptoms being either depressed mood or loss of interest or enjoyment.
A diagnostically depressed individual, or a person diagnosed with major depressive disorder, must experience significant distress or impairment in their occupational, social, and personal lifestyle, or other areas of functioning, such as lack of personal hygiene or non-involvement with activities in order for a diagnosis to be made.
For older adults, depression may be more difficult to recognize than in younger individuals, due to the fatigue, pain, and irritation that most people assume is a normal part of aging. But it’s not. If your elderly parent or family member is exhibiting symptoms of depression, it’s important to both reassure them that they are loved and supported, and to encourage them to seek treatment if it’s affecting their daily life.
Here are some of the ways that you might be able to recognize depression in your older loved ones:
With age, sometimes people will stop engaging and going out. This can either occur as a side effect of depression, or can be a product of aging that may ultimately lead to depression as a result of feeling alone.
Therefore, it’s important to encourage older adults in your life to stay connected. And, although enjoying one’s home and being solitary is perfectly normal, going out and being around other people is an equally important part of maintaining a happy and healthy life, both physically and mentally.
No longer taking pleasure in activities you used to enjoy is one of the major hallmarks of depression, so if you notice that your loved ones have stopped engaging in their favorite things, it might be a good idea to ask them about it.
Sometimes people will stop doing things they enjoy because their body no longer allows them to participate in the way they once could. An example might be no longer playing sports because you’re not as dexterous, or no longer knitting because it hurts your hands. In these cases, it’s important to encourage your loved ones to find adaptive ways to still participate in things they like, or to find alternatives that are similar but still possible for them to engage in.
Sleep disturbances like oversleeping or undersleeping happen to everyone at some point, but if you notice that your loved ones are continuously sleeping much more than usual or much less than usual, or they’re having to stop activities because they’re too tired to engage, then this might be a symptom of a larger problem.
Often, depression can cause people to feel fatigue, which is different from just being tired. It’s a deep and pervasive feeling of sluggishness and difficulty functioning. If you notice behavior that sounds like this, or if your loved one mentions this to you, it’s quite possible that depression may be the cause.
People experiencing depression may often lash out at friends or loved ones, due to turbulent feelings or increased frustration at their brain or bodies. They may feel frustrated at their declining health or aging bodies that are no longer able to perform like they once were, or they may direct anger at loved ones for not being able to understand the situation they’re in.
Whatever the reason for the anger, if you notice that your loved one has been more angry, irritable, or unkind than usual, depression may be the cause. And even if they say things that may be hurtful, it’s important to encourage them to ask for help in a way that shows you’re empathetic to their situation, and you care about them and their feelings.
Often, people experiencing depression will feel hopeless, like there’s no possible way for things to get any better. This is especially true for older adults living with depression, who may feel like their best years are over, or that there’s no reason for them to continue trying to live a good life.
You may be able to recognize that this is how your loved one is feeling even if they don’t talk about it. You may notice that they stop taking care of themselves, no longer showering, brushing their teeth, combing their hair, getting dressed, etc. like they used to. They may also stop trying to improve their life or their surroundings, like no longer trying to exercise, engage with friends or family, or clean their house. These are all signs that your loved one may be experiencing depression, and it’s important to have a conversation about it and encourage them to seek treatment.
Of course, the symptom that everyone knows about depression is suicidal ideation. If your loved one finds themselves thinking frequently about death, or thinking about killing themselves, it’s urgent that you help them to seek treatment for their depression.
It’s important also, for both you and them to know that if you reach out about struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, they’re NOT going to just be immediately locked away in a mental hospital. No one is going to come take you away from your home the minute you admit that you’re feeling suicidal. Mental health care has come a long way from those days, and professionals are there to help you through, not to imprison you.
More importantly, not reaching out continues to compound the risk of someone being seriously injured or dying from a suicide attempt, so it’s essential that you reach out for help and treatment as soon as you notice any of these symptoms, but especially thoughts of death and suicide.
Depression is primarily treated through either cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication, which is why it's so important to seek treatment from a medical professional when you first notice symptoms. However, there are also a variety of products and tools that may help people improve the effects of these therapy modalities and feel better, faster.
Many older adults have difficulty getting outside to spend time in the sunshine and fresh air which can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It has been proven that light therapy, or phototherapy, is effective in reducing the emotions and feelings of sadness due to the drop in serotonin levels and disruption of the body’s melatonin levels during the darker, colder months of the year.
Among the many light therapy products offered by Rehabmart, the DIA Naturebright Therapy Light is designed to produce intense, timed doses of 5,000 to 10,000 LUX illumination to help relieve the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. This is an easy way to have an elder individual receive their daily amount of infrared rays.
Aromatherapy can be a great way for people to improve their feelings of relaxation and well-being. Different combinations of fragrances can help people calm down or feel more energized, and aromatherapy can be easily combined with hygiene tasks like bathing or showering to help encourage better self-care.
Aromatherapy techniques may also be used in a variety of lotions and creams to help users better improve the look and feel of their body and skin, which will subsequently help them feel better as well.
Pain is a major cause and also a symptom of depression, so whether it’s the chicken or the egg in this scenario, pain relief can be a huge boon to people living with depression, especially older adults who may already be experiencing pain due to a number of other sources.
Old favorites like Biofreeze, the topical cooling gel, and new innovations like the Heatlux Pro II FDA Approved Pain Relief Device can all provide a great solution for different people’s needs. While more intensive pain relief can be provided by products like massagers and TENS units which are perfect for musculoskeletal and nerve pain.
While it’s been drilled into all of us innumerable times, especially those of us living with depression, it bears repeating that exercise and activity is a great mood enhancer. Moving your body, even if it’s just something low impact like stretching, walking, or yoga, helps to improve circulation, trigger the release of feel-good endorphins, and make you generally feel better.
For older adults who may feel like they can’t exercise anymore, or be too sore or tired to exercise, simply moving your body is enough to help make you feel better.
While depression is not a normal part of life, it is more common than many people realize, and it’s, unfortunately, a disease that can lead to death if not diagnosed correctly or recognized early. Often the symptoms of depression in the elderly can be misdiagnosed by medical professionals, or hidden behind “old age” behaviors to family and friends.
Elderly people find themselves with a variety of triggers that can lead to depression, including reduced physicality, a loss of loved ones, and a decrease in independence. Getting old is tough and the ability to “bounce back” from troubled times is very difficult, at best.
If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, don’t take any chances or ignore the pain, call or go for help and assistance as soon as possible. The following information includes some professional organizations or numbers to contact that are always willing to help you or someone you know in their time of need.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
National Institute of Mental Health
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
