Depression in Your Elderly Loved Ones Can be Hard to Recognize
Depression in the elderly affects about 6 million Americans ages 65 and older. But only 10% get treatment.
Some factors that raise the risk of depression in older people include:
Stressful life events
Being single, unmarried, divorced, or widowed
Lack of a supportive social network
Being Female
Physical conditions like stroke, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, cancer, dementia, and chronic pain increase the risk of depression.
These risk factors for depression are often seen in older adults:
1. Certain medicines or combination of medicines
2. Damage to body image (from amputation, cancer surgery, or heart attack)
3. Dependence, whether through being hospitalized or needing home health care
4. Disability
5. Family history of major depressive disorder
6. Living alone, social isolation
7. Illnesses
8. Chronic or severe pain
9. Previous history of depression
10. Loss of a loved one
11. Substance abuse
Brain scans of people who develop their first depression in old age often reveal spots in the brain that may not get enough blood flow, believed to result from years of high blood pressure.
To learn more about how In-Home Care can help improve your loved ones’ quality of life, call Alliance Senior Care at 248-274-2170. It’s not just In-Home Care, it is Integrated Care.
Home Care are an excellent resource for family caregivers and seniors alike.
Alliance Senior Care Home Care services offer a wide range of services providing healthcare, daily living assistance, transportation to and from Doctor’s appointments and tailored care services for additional circumstances.