Elderly Depression: Understanding the Causes and How to Help
The National Council on Aging reports that about 25% of older American adults, 65 years and above, have mental health issues, like depression. This highlights the importance of prioritizing proper emotional support for seniors.
Depression in seniors isn't an easy journey. It's a silent struggle overshadowed by sadness in old age.
Understanding the causes, recognizing the warning signs, and knowing how to help can make a profound difference in your loved one's life. Explore what drives elderly depression, red flags to watch for, and actionable senior mental health tips.
Causes of Depression in Seniors
Seniors undergo many life changes and health issues that cause them to become depressed. A combination of biological, psychological, social, and economic factors can affect mental health in elderly adults. Learn more about them.
Biological Causes
Old age causes imbalances in neurotransmitters, which include:
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Glutamate
- Norepinephrine
They are crucial for regulating mood as well as improving memory and cognition. Lower levels of these neurotransmitters alter proper emotional regulation, leading to mood swings and depression.
Aging can interfere with the brain's neurons, especially in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus regions. Over time, shrinkage may occur in these regions, interfering with mood regulation and memory.
Other biological causes of elderly depression include:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Chronic pain conditions like neuropathy
- Neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease
Psychological Causes
Psychological factors influence a person's behaviors and feelings. Seniors with cognitive decline may have personality traits like low self-esteem. This trait makes older adults view themselves as unworthy and inadequate, leading to depression.
Negative thinking is also a psychological cause of depression in elderly adults. It makes seniors feel hopeless, leading to a lack of motivation, which is the hallmark of depression.
Stress and trauma also negatively interfere with seniors' emotional responses. Depression mostly develops in seniors without proper coping mechanisms for stress and past trauma.
Social Causes
Seniors who lose their loved ones, close friends, or pets struggle with loneliness and isolation. Because of grief, depressive episodes become stronger.
Those with mobility challenges can't visit their close friends, limiting their social interactions. These challenges can lead to feelings of isolation.
Family dynamics happen as one gets older. Parents lose regular contact with their grown-up children, leading to feelings of abandonment.
Some seniors also end up becoming dependent on their younger family members. This may make them feel embarrassed. Feelings of abandonment and embarrassment result in depression.
Retirement makes elderly adults lose their social roles. While retirement is normal, it may cause them to develop a perceived loss of purpose, leading to depression.
Economic Causes
Most seniors living below the poverty line feel like they wasted their early, good days. They may suffer from self-guilt, which leads to low self-esteem and depression.
Financial stress makes it challenging for older adults to access quality healthcare. This causes aged adults to develop a sense of insecurity, which triggers depression.
Other economic factors that subject seniors to depression include:
- Worsening living standards
- Lack of employment opportunities
- Housing issues
- Loss of income
Warning Signs to Watch For
Understanding the warning signs of elderly depression is key to seeking assisted living and memory care help early. However, symptoms of depression vary from one person to another. Here are some common warning signs of depression your loved one may show.
Mood Changes
Depression makes elderly adults feel empty and hopeless. It becomes difficult for them to express their emotions clearly. As this progresses, they end up experiencing sudden mood changes like sadness and agitation.
Depression makes most seniors live a life of pessimism. A pessimistic lifestyle causes them to feel down most of the time.
As a result, they lack the motivation to even engage in activities that bring happiness. They gradually withdraw from social events and hobbies they once enjoyed.
Low Energy
Lower levels of neurotransmitters leave many older adults feeling fatigued. Additionally, neurotransmitter imbalances can alter the body's stress responses. This suppresses cortisol levels, leading to low energy and fatigue.
Persistent feelings of hopelessness and sadness drain mental energy. They cause an emotional burden, which leaves many seniors feeling exhausted.
Fatigue can slow down your loved one's physical movements and thought processes. This can result in less motivation and activity, which may decline your loved one's physical fitness.
Sleep Disturbances
Neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating sleep. Low serotonin and high cortisol levels disrupt the body's normal relaxation, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Depression is known for its strong, intrusive negative thoughts. Most depressed seniors struggle with worry and nervousness, which disrupt their normal sleep patterns.
Elderly depression also disrupts sleep by causing:
- Frequent awakenings
- Excessive sleep
- Early morning awakenings
Concentration Problems
Depression in elderly adults quickens cognitive decline. This makes it difficult for the brain to process and communicate information. Cognitive decline hinders seniors from focusing and completing their tasks.
Intrusive negative thoughts caused by depression make it difficult to concentrate. Impaired attention may also result from sleep disturbances and fatigue.
Preventing Elderly Depression
Depressed seniors need compassion from their family members. Creating a safe environment where your loved one feels comfortable can help manage depression.
Allow them to share how they feel. Also, listen to them without rushing to offer solutions or judgment.
It's also good to keep your aging loved one connected with their friends. You can facilitate their social connections through:
- Phone calls
- In-person visits
- Video calling apps like Zoom
- Hosting gatherings at home
If you have a busy schedule, take your loved one to a good assisted living and memory care community. These communities offer a range of services and amenities that help depressed seniors relax.
Assisted living staff offer personalized care with compassion. They also facilitate socialization through:
- Events like shared meals
- Group gardening
- Wellness activities like yoga
- Volunteer opportunities
- Group classes
- Recreational activities like swimming
Understanding Elderly Depression
Elderly depression is a complex issue, but it can be managed. Bring your elderly loved one to Addington Place of Burlington immediately after you notice signs of depression.
We prioritize creating warm, welcoming homes to improve our residents' happiness and well-being. Besides professional, comprehensive care, we provide enjoyable daily activities and events such as gardening, fitness classes, theater performances, and trips to art galleries.
Call us today and let's help your loved one enjoy their old age.