Professional Documents
Culture Documents
English 2010
Draft: The Information Effect Project:
All around the world, people are dealing with depression. Depression
is a disease that robs people of health, happiness and love of life.
Depression can be diagnosed at any age, but many of those who are
diagnosed belong to the elderly population. Many of these people are
struggling and there are also many who have it, but have not had
proper diagnoses. These people may have lost their will to live or their
purpose in life.
Photograph: Elderlyhealth.info
As Adults age and get older, many times these elderly need help.
For a while, families may try to give back, but sometimes this pathway
proves to be too difficult. There are many people that are admitted into
Nursing or Assisted Living facilities. The harsh reality is that they just
cant take care of themselves anymore. Sometimes a familys only
option is to be able to have others help out and take care of them.
When elderly are admitted into nursing homes or assisted living
facilities, many of them feel like their independence is taken from
them. They may become sad and lose their will to live. Making them
wonder why they are still alive.
Photograph: Perfecthealthinfo.com
A lot of residents go along with being admitted, just trying to
accept the fact that they are too much of a burden on their families,
or just dealing with the fact that they are too hard to difficult to take
care of. They may feel abandoned, alone and heartbroken. Many
spouses feel guilt and agony for having to come to this, but they know
it is the best place for their loved one.
Photograph: applewoodourhouse.com
Unfortunately,manyoftheseelderlyplacedinhomeswillbecomedepressed.Infact,
manyelderlyingeneralarediagnosedwiththisdisease.
Clinicaldepressioninelderlyiscommon.Thatdoesn'tmeanit'snormal.Latelife
depressionaffectsabout6millionAmericansages65andolder.Butonly10%receive
treatmentfortheirdepression.Thelikelyreasonisthattheelderlyoftendisplay
symptomsofdepressiondifferently.Depressionintheelderlyisalsofrequentlyconfused
withtheeffectsofmultipleillnessesandthemedicinesusedtotreatthem.(WebMD).
Symptoms of depression to watch for in the Elderly might consist of
fatigue, aching muscles, chest pain, headaches, changes in weight or
appetite, digestive problems and restlessness.
Itisnotalwaysobviousthatanolderpersonisdepressedandsimilarlyitisnot
uncommonfordepressiontobesuspectedwhenapersonisjustinalowmoodor
grievingforashortperiodoftime.Thereasonforthisconfusionattimesisthatthe
symptomsofdepressionintheelderlymaynotbecharacteristicaswouldbeexpectedof
ayoungerperson.(Seniorhealth365.com).
Fortunately,clinicaldepressionisaverytreatableillness.Morethan80%ofall
peoplewithdepressioncanbesuccessfullytreatedwithmedication,psychotherapyora
combinationofboth.(Mentalhealthamerica.net).
Photograph: Aplaceformom.com
Ifyouredepressed,youmaynotwanttodoanythingorseeanybody.Butisolation
anddisconnectiononlymakedepressionworse.Themoreengagedyouaresocially,
mentally,andphysicallythebetteryoullfeel.(helpguide.org).
Photograph:Seniorhealth365.com
Ifyouredepressed,youmaynotwanttodoanythingorseeanybody.Butisolation
anddisconnectiononlymakedepressionworse.Themoreengagedyouaresocially,
mentally,andphysicallythebetteryoullfeel.(helpguide.org).
Familyandlovedonescanhaveaprofoundeffectonanelderscare.Encourage
treatmentandoffersupporttohelpyourlovedoneliveafull,happylife.
(healthline.com).
Therearealsoafewotherthingswe,asasocietycandotohelpimprovethequalityof
lifefortheseelderly,thesewillalsohelpwiththesymptomsofdepression.Onethingwe
candoisvisitingtheelderly.Spendsometimewiththem.Taketimeoutofyourday
onceinawhiletomakesomeonesdaybetter!Playgameswiththem,laughwiththem.
Helpmakealifealittlebetter,somedayitmaybeyouwalkingintheirshoes.
Photograph: negeriatrics.com
Photograph: Archive.indianaexpress.com
Photograph: probonorcounseling.org
Works Cited:
Elderlyhealth.info, Depression-Nervous System Problems.
Seniorhealth365, Common Causes of Depression Among the Elderly.
Oct. 2016
Healthline.com, Oct. 2016
Helpguide.org,, Oct. 2016