In the past several months, Helen had started to notice a difference in her aging mother. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but it was as if Ira, who lived alone in her apartment at age 84, was finally starting to show the effects of aging more dramatically.
Once a lively, exuberant woman, Ira seemed to be quieter, more withdrawn, and constantly fatigued despite adding two hour-long naps into her daily routine. Not thinking much of it, Helen suspected that her mother’s body and mind were simply slowing down. But little did either of them know, Ira was struggling with depression.
The symptoms of depression aren’t always easily recognizable in aging adults who are suffering from it. In fact, it is common for depression to be misdiagnosed or overlooked—especially among older adults. Because of this, many aging adults suffer silently from depression and thus never receive proper diagnosis or treatment.
As a caregiver, it is important for you to be aware of elderly depression symptoms so that you can get your aging loved one the help they need. Let’s look at some of the common signs and symptoms of depression, as well as the common types of depression among aging adults, so that you can better understand and identify what your loved one may be going through.
Elderly Depression Symptoms to Watch for in Your Aging Loved One
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as few as 1% of aging adults who live in the community suffer from depression. Those who live in nursing homes or are hospitalized experience depression at much higher rates, ranging between 11% and 14%. Unfortunately, few of these sufferers receive the care they need to improve their condition. Like we saw with Ira and Helen, the reason depression so often goes unnoticed and untreated in older adults is that many of the symptoms of depression are so similar to the general effects of aging. Things like poor memory, low energy, and sleep problems are often overlooked, especially when older adults are also suffering from other illnesses. And because the incidence of depression is higher among aging adults living with other illnesses like cancer or heart disease, it is often mistaken as a natural reaction to the challenges of living with a disease. Whether or not your aging loved one is facing significant health challenges or not, it is important to pay close attention to their mental state and watch for clues that indicate they could be experiencing depression. Common symptoms associated with depression to watch for in your aging loved one include:- Persistent low mood or sadness
- Anxiety or irritability
- Chronic low energy
- Persistent feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
- Decreased interest or enjoyment in activities
- Sleep problems—from insomnia to oversleeping
- Change in weight or appetite
- General physical malaise (especially digestive upset without cause)
- Lack of concentration
- Poor memory and frequent indecision
- Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts
