Depression in Older Adults

Depression in Older Adults

Introduction

There is a general belief that depression is a regular component of the aging process, though, it is not. Symptoms of depression in elderly adults are missed most of the time, and that is why depression among older adults also goes unnoticed and untreated (GMHF, 2008). Complex biological and psycho-social factors cause depression among elder adults. Certain issues, such as their resistance to treatment, also cause problems to address depression among older adults. This paper intends to outline the trends of depression among late adults (elderly), factors causing depression, issues associated with it, problems that hinder addressing it, and recommendations for addressing this problem in the future.

Discussion

Concept

According to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation, everyone feels blue or sad at any point of their life. However, if the sadness not only persists and interferes with routine, it may be called depression. It should not be considered as a normal part of increasing age, rather it is a curable disease just like diabetes and heart disease. Although, depression has no definite known reason, it is believed to be a consequence of different biochemical, genetic, environmental, or psychological factors. According to NIMH (2007), 80% of the depression cases are treatable.

Trends

Despite the high prevalence of depression among older adults, it often goes unnoticed and untreated. It is estimated that depression affects over 6.5 million among the 35 million Americans with age 65 or more (AAGP, 2008). Most of the older people with depression are living with this disease for the most part of their lives (Zack et al., 2004). In other cases, it is a first onset in their late lives. According to several studies and researches, depression among older adults causes due to disability and dependency, which not only causes suffering for the individual but also for the family.

Relationship

Although there are no definite causes of depression, physical disability, social isolation, and loss in old age may cause depression in late adults. Studies say that physical disease is one of the other factors of depression. Physical illness causes depression by means of biological mechanisms.

Older adults suffer from various physical illnesses such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disease, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and infections. Mounting evidences suggest that cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases are important risk factors for depression among older adults (GMHF, 2008). Owing to this point, it is essential that depressed older adults must have a complete medical evaluation.

Social isolation and loneliness are another factor which may cause depression among older adults. Many older adults in America are experiencing loneliness and social isolation. It is a result of either living along, reduced social and cultural connections, a lack of closer family bonds, and/or incapability of actively participating in the local community or other doings (GMHF, 2008). When this social isolation occurs along with the physical disablement, prevalence of depression is common among older adults.

Real and symbolic losses are the psychological causes of depression, particularly among older adults. It is an age of life where losses are frequent and ...