About 'optimum nutrition energy'|Parents!!!Nutrition: it’s not just an energy thing
Everyone feels sad at times. Grief is a normal part of life; but suffering from depression is not. Seniors may exhibit symptoms of depression differently than younger age groups. Would you be able to tell if you, or a senior you loved, suffered from depression? Knowing what causes seniors to be at greater risk for developing depression will increase your awareness, making it easier to recognize symptoms. There are effective treatments to help seniors with depression and the information in this article should help. If you are a senior and you feel you might have depression, you aren't alone. According to the National Institutes of Health about seven million senior Americans aged 65 and over suffer with depression. Over two million of these are seniors suffering from major depression. The remaining five million seniors are affected by less severe forms of the illness that often present itself in a variety of misunderstood or overlooked symptoms. So what is the difference between grief and depression? How is it recognized and what really determines that point when normal grieving has turned into a depression? Distinguishing depression from the normal grieving process may seem difficult, especially after the death of a loved one. Normal grieving may take weeks or months to process. But even while grieving, most of us can still smile through the tears, laugh at a good joke, and find some purpose and meaning in life. Whenever all feelings of joy and hope are gone, grief is no longer just grief; it's depression. Medterms.com defines depression as "an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts that affect the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things." Working as a geriatric nurse in long-term care facilities for many years, I witnessed first hand the devastating effects depression can have on seniors. I may not be a senior, but having suffered from depression myself, I know first hand the importance of getting treatment. Left untreated, depression carries serious risks for seniors, preventing them from enjoying life and taking a heavy toll on their mental and physical health. According to the Center for Healthy Aging at http://www.helpguide.org/ seniors suffering from untreated depression not only suffer more illnesses, they may abuse prescription drugs and alcohol, suffer from higher mortality rates and even commit suicide. Seniors with a personal or family history of depression, failing health, or substance abuse are at greater risk for depression, especially if they have inadequate social support. The New England Centenarian Study, the largest study of centenarians and their families in the world, has shown that a strong social network of friends, family, and community is the key to longevity. Seniors with few friends or family members are more prone to depression because they have a weaker support system to help them through tough times. Many factors--mental, physical, and emotional can contribute to depression in seniors. Often it is not a single factor alone, but a combination of several factors that cause a senior's depression. Common life stressors that cause or contribute to depression in seniors include: #1--Loneliness.This is a significant cause of depression in seniors especially those lacking a strong social network. Seniors that have out-lived close family and friends see their social network shrinking. Seniors that live alone and do not drive tend to be more isolated, increasing their feelings of loneliness. #2--Health problems. Poor health can contribute to depression in seniors, especially when conditions are terminal or cause chronic pain and suffering. Major illnesses I have seen trigger depression in seniors include heart attacks and strokes, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Lung diseases that require oxygen tanks to breath often trigger depression, too. #3--Grief . The death of a spouse, life-partner or a beloved pet is a major contributing cause of depression in seniors. You may even have known a senior that just seemed to "give up" and die shortly after their spouse. My own grandmother died shortly after my grandfather. They had been together for sixty years. #4--Medications. Prescription drugs can cause depression or make an underlying depression worse. Sometimes, it may not be the side effect of a single drug, but a combination of two or more drugs causing the problem. Non-prescription drugs may play into the mix, too. This is why a careful review of a senior's medications should be done anytime depression is suspected. #5--Chronic fear and anxiety. This is a common contributor to depression in seniors. Financial or health related fears are common and while real concerns, they become exaggerated by anxiety. My grandmother obsessed over her bowels. She constantly discussed the issue and became extremely anxious if she didn't get a particular number of prunes every morning. #6--Fear of death and dying. I have seen this quite often in terminally ill seniors. This anxiety can be a contributing cause of depression in seniors. I once cared for a 99-year old woman who forced herself to stay awake every night because she just "knew" if she fell asleep, she wouldn't wake up. Exhausted from chronic sleep deprivation, sleeping pills were out of the question. She finally agreed to medication to help her "nerves" and anti-depression treatment reduced her anxiety, enabling her to finally get a good night's sleep. She lived for another year, dying peacefully at 100 with a smile on her face after eating a second helping of apple pie! #7--Loss of identity. Seniors who have placed much of their personal identity into jobs or careers they can no longer physically perform are more at risk to depression. This loss of personal identity and sense of purpose are even more stressful as the actual health condition to these seniors. Newly retired seniors that are healthy but have no hobbies or plans to replace occupy their days may suffer the same feelings of sadness and loss. #8--Loss of independence. Deteriorating health may require a personal care attendant or a senior being forced to move into a relative's home or a senior care facility. Many seniors become depressed when faced with the prospect of losing their homes and their independence. Their greatest fear--becoming dependent on others--is stronger than fear of death or dying and may trigger depression. Seniors often exhibit symptoms of depression differently than younger age groups. They don't often complain of feeling sad and may even deny it if asked. Understanding the stressors that put seniors at greater risk for depression will help increase your awareness, making it easier to recognize symptoms of depression when they occur Common symptoms of depression seen in seniors include: 1. Unexplained or aggravated aches and pains including increased complaints of headaches, back aches, or arthritis pain. This is often the most prominent symptom of depression in seniors. 2. Complaints of a lack of energy or motivation or moving about exceptionally slow 3. Signs of anxiety--pacing, wringing hands, unable to sit still with repeated movements like tapping feet or slapping their side 4. Memory problems and increased forgetfulness (may also be a symptom of dementia) 5. Irritability 6. Forgetting to take medication (may also be a symptom of dementia) 7. Poor personal hygiene 8. Losing interest in food. Skipping meals is common among depressed seniors living alone; not only not fixing meals for themselves but not eating food others have delivered to them. 9. Losing weight 10. Loss of interest in hobbies or previous enjoyments The good news for seniors suffering from depression is this: all treatment options available to treat depression in younger people are also available to seniors and prove just as effective in treating their depression. Whenever discussing treatment options for depression with your doctor, seniors should ensure their other health issues are also addressed. Anything that might interfere with treating depression such as chronic pain management needs addressed in their treatment plan. Treatment options for depression in seniors depend upon the underlying cause for the depression but may include one or more of the following: 1. Counseling; Doctors may refer seniors suffering from depression to a licensed mental health professional to help the depressed senior deal with stressful life events that triggered their depression and help them process their emotions and heal from their loss. 2. Cognitive behavioral therapy; (CBT) is often used as a method to help change negative thinking patterns making it easier to deal with problems in healthier ways by developing better coping skills. 3. Combination of Counseling and Therapy. According to counseling and therapy have proven to be just as effective as medication in treating mild to moderate depression in seniors. 4. Support groups. These are effective for seniors grieving the death of a loved one, or suffering another major life stressor, to share their thoughts and feeling with others going through similar circumstances. The support group members can share their experiences, learn from one another, and help each other to heal from their loss in a safe supportive environment. 5. Anti-depressant drugs. Prescription drugs may effectively help treat depression in seniors or be used in a combination with other treatments. Drugs may not always be the treatment choice. Doctors need to consider potential side effects and safety concerns. Seniors that have someone closely monitoring their medications may be stronger candidates for drug therapy. Self-help tips for seniors to ease their own symptoms of depression These self-help tips can help prevent seniors from feeling isolated and lonely, improving symptoms of depression. Remember the key to longevity is also the key to avoiding depression--staying active and building a strong social network of friends, family, and community. 1. Make a determined effort to get up out of bed and dressed every morning. 2. Make the bed. An elderly woman shared this with me and said her mom had been right, making the bed was a habit that helps to set a positive tone for the rest of the day. Plus, there's less temptation to climb back in once the bed is made. 3. Force yourself to get out of the house a little every day. Staying cooped up inside can be depressing--so take a walk, check the mail, go to the park, walk the dog, meet a friend, go to the store, just do whatever it takes to get motivated enough to get out of the house. 4. Socialize and stay connected with family and friends. If health problems prevent active socializing, invite others to their home. Keep in contact with loved ones that live at a distance by phone or mail. E-mail is wonderful for seniors to keep in touch with others. 5. Plan your day by making a schedule or daily "to do" list. Writing down things you would like to accomplish makes you more inclined to keep active. 6. Spend time pursing a favorite hobby or start a new one. 7. Take a class or learn a new skill. Many non-profit agencies, community groups, senior centers, churches, and local colleges offer classes for seniors at little or no cost. 8. Be a community volunteer and share your skills with talents with others. 9. Get a pet to keep you company and share your love. 10. Maintain optimum nutrition by eating a healthy diet and taking a daily multi-vitamin. And be sure to take all prescribed medications as directed by your doctor. 11. Exercise regularly to maintain muscle strength and help improve your mood. Remember, exercise releases endorphins--those natural "feel good" chemicals. 12. Maintain your sense of humor by consciously finding reasons to laugh a little every day. Laughter is contagious and good medicine. But, also remember that misery loves company. So smile, share a joke, feel free to laugh at yourself, and try to avoid people that seem to drag you down and make you feel more depressed. If you are a senior and feel you might be suffering from depression, please take that first step and seek help. Recognizing symptoms of depression and getting effective treatment can improve memory, concentration, energy, and overall quality of life. Treatment for depression helps many seniors rebuild the hope and joy missing in their daily lives. The following on-line resources provide additional information to help seniors suffering with depression: Depression --A guide to depression in seniors from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Aging contains information about the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment for depression in seniors. (National Institutes of Health of the National Institute of Aging) Depression in the Elderly --An overview of depression in seniors including contributing factors, signs and symptoms, and how to find help and support. (Palo Alto Medical Foundation) Recognizing Depression in Later Years --Clues to diagnosis and commonly overlooked signs and symptoms of depression in seniors. (Healthology.com) Dealing with Depression: Self Help and Coping Tips--Guide to recognizing risk factors, symptoms, and treatment for dealing with depression in seniors with tips for those wanting to help a senior with depression. (Center for Healthy Aging) Understanding Geriatric Depression --An overview of depression in seniors with information on signs and symptoms that how to distinguish dementia from depression with information on treatment and side effects of medications. (ElderCare Online.Net) |
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