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Impact of Depression in Older Adults

Austin See

Brooks College of Health, University of Florida

HSC 4563: Dimensions of Health in Older Adults

Professor Clovin

April 27, 2020

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Table of Contents

Introduction to Depression…………… 3

An Analysis of Depression………….. 4-5

Prevention………………………. 6

Summary………………. 7

References……………… 8-9
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Introduction to Depression

As people age there are changes in their bodies and health, this becomes especially true

during the later years of a person's life. Once the human body begins to age into the older adults

“guidelines” there are many health risks. Today the average retirement age in the United States is

66 years old. Although many are in perfectly good health by this time, not everyone is in the best

condition to continue caring for themselves. Typically once a person is near their mid 70’s and

early 80’s they start looking into assisted living and nursing homes. For many people this is an

enormous change in their lifestyle which can be one of the many factors that lead to a change in

their mental health. These major lifestyle changes can cause older adults to have depression.

Although not much research has been conducted about depression in older adults, it is a key

mental health risk in the aging population.

According to The American Psychiatric Association depression is defined as, “a common

and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you

act.”(What Is Depression, n.d.)​ ​Symptoms and signs of depression include feeling sad, loss of

interest, and changes in appetite, just to name a few. These symptoms can have a devastating

negative impact on older adults not only in their mental health, but also other aspects of their

lives. As modern society continues to grow and accept depression as a mental disorder, more

older adults are being tested for, and diagnosed with, depression. The New England Journal of

Medicine states that depression is, “a psychiatric syndrome frequently encountered by physicians

who treat older adults.”(Blazer, 1989) The care provided by these physicians assist patients to

obtain the necessary guidance, therapy, and medicine to overcome this disease.
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An Analysis of Depression

Older adults are more susceptible to having depression because of the major life changes

and body changes they are going through. Some of these life changes can include health issues,

the death of family, or the friends around them. Even moving out of a home into a new space can

bring onset depression. According to the National Institute on Aging, depression can also be

affected by genetics, personal history, brain chemistry, and stress. (Depression and Older Adults,

n.d.) Genetics can be a major factor due to shared genes of a close relative who has been

diagnosed with depression, as the chemical imbalance could be a part of your gene pool. (​Dunn,

Brown, Dai, Rosand, Nugent, Amstadter, Smoller, 2015​) If an older adult were to have been

diagnosed with depression throughout their life, especially as a young adult, they will be more

prone to having depression again in their later years. (​Burcusa, Iacono, 2007​) Some of those with

mental disorders can have different brain chemistry than those without. Stress can especially be a

factor in older adults due to the death of significant others, family members, and even lifelong

friends. Depression can also be influenced from other medical diseases, as stated by an article on

Psychom, “Depression often occurs in elderly patients who suffer with other medical conditions

and disabilities.” (Hurly n.d.) Sometimes medications for other illnesses can also cause

depression as one of the side effects which is why it is important to be sure to read medication

labels.

Like any other disease, depression has many symptoms that could direct those around an

older adult to bring attention to medical staff. Aside from feeling sad, having a loss of interest,

and showing changes in appetite, there are also many more that can easily be recognized by

others. According to the Centers for Disease Control, other symptoms can include feeling
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helpless, feeling worthless, becoming irritable, abnormal sleep patterns by sleeping all day or not

sleeping enough, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, complaining of constant aches, and

suicidal thoughts or attempts.(Depression is Not, 2017) The National Institute of Mental Health

also states, “To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two

weeks.” (Depression, n.d.) When someone is showing signs of depression it is important to keep

track of when changes started to become noticable, while also keeping a close eye and

monitoring the person showing these signs. It is important to be sure that you notify the doctor

and plan a doctor's appointment for the necessary care that needs to be provided.

From affecting basic motivation to deteriorating physical health, the effects of

depression can impact almost every aspect of an older adult's life. Even though not directly

related to early death in the aging population, many of the symptoms of depression can be a

catalyst into other aging diseases. (Let’s Talk About n.d.) Symptoms like change in appetite can

lead to dieting or not consuming enough calories which can result in low weight and a plethora

of ensuing medical problems. The same can be said for symptoms like trouble sleeping,

worthlessness, and loss of energy. The most troubling and dangerous of these symptoms is

thoughts of suicide. Rates of suicide grow into late adulthood, this is especially true among

males above the age of 85. Not only is this a risk for older adults, suicide attempts by older

adults are much more likely to result in death than among younger persons. (Older Adults, 1970)

For these reasons, depression is important to get diagnosed, for proper assistance and care to be

given to ensure the health of those who are at risk.

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Prevention

Prevention is arguably the most important aspect in understanding the effects of

depression throughout our lives. For many there are simple steps that someone can take in order

to prevent the onset of depression in our lives. With prevention it is important to understand what

it is that we are trying to prevent in our lives; understanding comes with education. This

education should come while we are in school as it plagues people from all generations, but must

also be available to the older population. While mental health interventions are now happening in

schools across the United States to promote healthy development of children, the older

community is still without this resource. (Fazel, Hoagwood, Stephan, & Ford, 2014) Because of

this, it falls to the community and healthcare workers to check in on the older generation.

If an elderly person is showing signs of depression, not eating, constantly sad, not

spending time with friends, this is likely a good time to have them tested for depression. Suicide

is more likely in older adults then it is in the younger generation, because of this, when

symptoms of depression show in aging people, it is important to have them see a physchologist

to be diagnosed. (Fiske, Wetherell, & Gatz, 2009) Once the elderly person has been diagnosed,

there are many outlets in order to treat the disease. Among the many ways to treat depression,

psychotherapy is highly recommended in the medical world against the overuse of

pharmaceuticals like antidepressants. (Ng, How, & Ng, 2017) It is most important for the older

adult to feel like they have overcome depression and not that a drug made them feel differently.

This is extremely important to combat the return of this mental illness to the patient.
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Summary

Receiving an education in depression, what the signs are, what may be causing it, and

how to resolve the situation is extremely important when it comes to older adults. Oftentimes

older adults may not voice what is going on and how they may be feeling. They could stop

eating, seclude themselves, and be in pain without telling anyone. This highlights the importance

of knowing the signs and symptoms, while also recognizing who is more likely to be at risk. In

conclusion, depression in older adults can be harmful to their mental health and their body, but

there are ways to try and prevent it or even help after the diagnosis. If any symptoms are shown

it is important to seek professional medical help when detected in order that they are able to

receive the medications or therapies that are needed. This ensures they are not putting themselves

in danger and helps them being the steps to overcome this depressive disease.
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References

(n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

Blazer, D. (1989, June 15). Depression in the Elderly: NEJM. Retrieved from

https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJM198901193200306

Burcusa, S. L., & Iacono, W. G. (2007, December). Risk for recurrence in depression. Retrieved

from ​https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2169519/

Depression. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml

Depression and Older Adults. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/depression-and-older-adults

Depression is Not a Normal Part of Growing Older. (2017, January 31). Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/aging/mentalhealth/depression.htm

Dunn, E. C., Brown, R. C., Dai, Y., Rosand, J., Nugent, N. R., Amstadter, A. B., & Smoller, J.

W. (2015). Genetic determinants of depression: recent findings and future directions.

Retrieved from ​https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4309382/

Fazel, M., Hoagwood, K., Stephan, S., & Ford, T. (2014, October). Mental health interventions

in schools 1: Mental health interventions in schools in high-income countries. Retrieved

from ​https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4477835/

Fiske, A., Wetherell, J. L., & Gatz, M. (2009). Depression in older adults. Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852580/
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Hurley, K. (n.d.). Depression in the Elderly: Not a Normal Part of Aging. Retrieved from

https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.elderly.html

Let's Talk About Depression Among Older Adults. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.communitycatalyst.org/blog/lets-talk-about-depression-among-older-adults#

.Xqd_-y-z3Uo

Older Adults. (1970, January 1). Retrieved from ​https://www.sprc.org/populations/older-adults

Ng, C. W. M., How, C. H., & Ng, Y. P. (2017, August). Managing depression in primary care.

Retrieved from ​https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5563525/