Depression in Older Adults
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 7, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Depression
is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness or hopelessness that do not go away. The person may lose interest in things he or she used to enjoy. Depression is common in older adults, but it is not a normal part of aging. Treatment can help improve the person's daily life. You can help support the person by encouraging him or her to work with healthcare providers to manage depression.
Common signs and symptoms of depression in older adults:
- Appetite changes, or weight gain or loss
- Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
- Fatigue (being mentally or physically tired) or lack of energy
- Feeling restless, irritable, or withdrawn
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Feeling worthless, hopeless, discouraged, or guilty
- Trouble concentrating, remembering things, doing daily tasks, or making decisions
- Moving or talking slower than usual
- Statements about wanting to hurt or kill himself or herself
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You hear the person talk about hurting himself or herself, or someone else.
- The person has done something on purpose to hurt himself or herself.
Call the person's therapist or doctor if:
- You think the person's symptoms are not improving.
- You notice new signs, or the person tells you he or she is having new symptoms.
- You have questions or concerns about the person's condition or care.
Where to go for more help if you think the person is considering suicide:
- Contact a suicide prevention organization:
- For the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
- Call or text 988
- Send a chat on https://988lifeline.org/chat
- Call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
- For the Suicide Hotline, call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE)
- For the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
- For a list of international numbers: https://save.org/find-help/international-resources/
Treatment:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches the person how to identify and change negative thought patterns. CBT can be done alone or with family members.
- Antidepressant medicine may be given to decrease or manage symptoms. The person may need to take this medicine for several weeks before they start working. It is important for healthcare providers to know about all medicines the person is taking. This will help providers know which medicines to recommend for the person. The person may also need help setting up reminders to take the medicine each day.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
What you can do to help the person manage depression:
- Call, write, or visit the person often. Check on him or her after the loss of a spouse, longtime friend, or pet. Holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries can be difficult for a person after a loss. The loss of a spouse can be painful and lonely.
- Help the person connect with others. Encourage him or her to become involved in the community. Some examples include tutoring a young student or volunteering at a local organization. The person may need help setting up a computer or creating an e-mail account to help him or her remain connected to others. You may also be able to help set up a visit for the person with his or her religious or spiritual leader.
- Encourage the person to try new things. This can help the person find new interests or meet new people. It can also help prevent him or her from focusing on depression.
- Help the person get equipment that will increase his or her comfort and mobility. Examples are hearing aids, glasses, large print books, and walkers. These can help him or her enjoy activities and feel more independent.
- Encourage the person to continue taking medicine and going to therapy. Medicine and therapy can help improve his or her mental health.
- Help the person exercise safely. Exercise can lift his or her mood, increase energy, and make it easier to sleep. If possible, offer to exercise with the person. For example, you may want to schedule walks with the person. He or she may enjoy going to an event, such as an art exhibit or a museum. If the person is not able to walk, he or she may enjoy an exercise program done in a chair.
- Encourage the person to seek help for drug or alcohol use, if needed. Drugs and alcohol can increase suicidal thoughts and make the person more likely to act on them.
Follow up with the person's therapist or doctor as directed:
The person's healthcare provider will monitor his or her progress at follow-up visits. The provider will also monitor medicines if the person takes antidepressants and ask if the medicine is helping. Tell the provider about any side effects or problems you notice in the person, or that the person mentions. The type or amount of medicine may need to be changed. Write down your questions and the person's questions so you remember to ask them during the visits.
For more information or support:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100
Arlington , VA 22203
Phone: 1- 703 - 524-7600
Phone: 1- 800 - 950-6264
Web Address: http://www.nami.org
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
PO Box 2345
Rockville , MD 20847-2345
Phone: 1- 800 - 988
Web Address: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org OR https://988lifeline.org/chat/
© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Learn more about Depression
Treatment options
Symptoms and treatments
Medicine.com guides (external)
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
