Depression and Older Adults From Blue to You Depression and Older Adults

What is depression? A common mental disorder or illness Involves the body, mood, and thoughts

How common is depression? 15 percent of those over age 65 As high as 25 percent of nursing home residents

What are the symptoms? Physical symptoms Emotional symptoms Psychosocial symptoms

Symptoms look different in older adults Anxiety Worries about being a burden Memory problems Slowed movement Irritability Lack of interest in personal care Unexplained or aggravated aches and pains Talk about death and dying

Stigma Listen to what these older adults say about depression Focus on their thoughts and feelings about stigma

What do you hear about stigma?

Treatment Talk therapy Medication therapy Combination: talk and medication therapy

What to do if you think you have depression Get help Get informed Avoid alcohol and drugs Connect to others Participate in activities you enjoy Maintain a healthy diet Exercise Don’t get upset if you can’t sleep

What do you do if an older family member has depression Get help Offer emotional support Invite your loved one out Plan and prepare healthy meals Watch for suicide warning signs

References AARP (2008). Dispelling myths about depression. Retrieved from www.aarp.org Ballas, C. (2005). Depression in the elderly: The basics. Retrieved from www.mydepressionconnection.com Beyond Blue (2008). Depression in older people fact sheet. Retrieved from www.beyondblue.org Duckworth, K. (2006). About mental illness: Depression. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23039&lstid=326 Healthy Place (2006). Elderly depression ignored. Retrieved from http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/elderly_5.asp Healthy Place (2006). Depression in Elderly. Retrieved from http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/elderly.asp Jeste, D. V. (2003). Depression in older persons. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=17624 Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175 Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Alzheimer's or depression: Could it be both? Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/HQ00212 Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression: Supporting loved ones through their battle with depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016 NIMH (2008). Depression in Elderly Men http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/depression-in-elderly-men.shtml Nutrition Health Center (2008). Depression Statistics Information. Retrieved from http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/Depression/statistics.htm Segal, J., Jaffe, J., Davies, P. & Smith, M. (2007). Depression in older adults and the elderly: Recognizing the signs and getting help. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_elderly.htm#signs

For More Information… www.bluetoyou.org Leigh Ann Simmons; MFT, PhD former Assistant Professor Department of Family Studies Ester Edwards, BS Graduate student Leslie Crofford, MD Professor, College of Medicine April 2010 Health Education through Extension Leadership The development of the HEEL program was made possible by Senator Mitch McConnell with funds earmarked for the University of Kentucky, College o f Agriculture, Lexington Ky. and budgeted through the CSREES/USDA Federal Administration. Copyright © 2010 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice.   Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.