Know the Signs of Depression in the Elderly

HelpAge India

Know The Signs Of Depression In The Elderly If you have an elder in the family or, if you are an elderly yourself, it is essential to be able to spot the signs of Depression. Though it can strike even younger people, the elderly are more prone to fall victims to this mental health problem. This is primarily because the elderly are more or not, the elderly spend a large part of their days being by themselves without the benefit of family or friend interactions. Living in urban areas increases the chance of such isolation. . According to several studies, urbanization has encouraged nucleation of family systems and a decline in care and support for the elderly which has also given rise to depression.

Please learn to recognize these signs and indications:       

Sadness or feelings of misery Unexplained or intensified pains Loss of interest in meeting people or hobbies Weight loss or loss of hunger Feelings of hopelessness or dependence Lack of enthusiasm and energy Sleep troubles (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, sleeping too long, or daytime tiredness)

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However, it is the Doctor who is the final authority on the mental health of the person; so, if you see any of the signs, you must consult a Doctor qualified to treat Depression.

Depression is always something to be taken seriously, as it can lead to increasing the possibility of heart attack, declining quality of life, and weakening of body’s ability to heal from other illnesses. All of this makes it urgent for the problem to be diagnosed—however, the question is how?

The answer to this question brings us back to our original point, which is that depression screenings should actually be regular in senior health care. This is an utterly a non-invasive way for doctors to find out possible signs of depression. It’s not foolproof, however it’s definitely a smart safety measure to take, and these screenings can be simply administered at both yearly wellness visits as well as during visits for chronic troubles.

The identification of depression on time can open the doors to effective treatment. Even something like socialization on a daily basis might be useful. Several Senior Citizen Homes encourage volunteers working for them to understand more deeply about the problem so that they can provide help for the elderly who live in an NGO-supported Old Age Home.

https://www.helpageindia.org Toll Free No Elder Help Line 1800-180-1253

HelpAge India C-14, Qutab Institutional Area New Delhi - 110016