From Blue to YouFrom Blue to You

Depression and Older AdultsDepression and Older Adults

What is depression? What is depression?

• A common mental disorder or illnessA common mental disorder or illness

• Involves the body, mood, and thoughtsInvolves the body, mood, and thoughts

How common is depression? How common is depression?

• 15 percent of those over age 6515 percent of those over age 65

• As high as 25 percent of nursing home As high as 25 percent of nursing home residentsresidents

What are the symptoms?

• Physical symptoms

• Emotional symptoms

• Psychosocial symptoms

Symptoms look different in older adults• Anxiety

• Worries about being a burden

• Memory problems

• Slowed movement

• Irritability

• Lack of interest in personal care

• Unexplained or aggravated aches and pains

• Talk about death and dying

StigmaStigma

• Listen to what these older adults say about depression

• Focus on their thoughts and feelings about stigma

What do you hear about stigma?

Treatment• Talk therapy

• Medication therapy

• Combination: talk and medication therapy

What to do if you think you have What to do if you think you have depression depression

• Get helpGet help

• Get informedGet informed

• Avoid alcohol and Avoid alcohol and

drugs drugs

• Connect to others Connect to others

• Participate in Participate in

activities you enjoyactivities you enjoy

• Maintain a healthy Maintain a healthy

dietdiet

• ExerciseExercise

• Don’t get upset if you Don’t get upset if you

can’t sleepcan’t sleep

What do you do if an older family What do you do if an older family member has depressionmember has depression

• Get helpGet help

• Offer emotional support Offer emotional support

• Invite your loved one outInvite your loved one out

• Plan and prepare healthy meals Plan and prepare healthy meals

• Watch for suicide warning signsWatch for suicide warning signs

References• AARP (2008). Dispelling myths about depression. Retrieved from www.aarp.org • Ballas, C. (2005). Depression in the elderly: The basics. Retrieved from www.mydepressionconnection.com • Beyond Blue (2008). Depression in older people fact sheet. Retrieved from www.beyondblue.org • Duckworth, K. (2006). About mental illness: Depression. Retrieved from

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23039&lstid=326

• Healthy Place (2006). Elderly depression ignored. Retrieved from http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/elderly_5.asp

• Healthy Place (2006). Depression in Elderly. Retrieved from http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/elderly.asp

• Jeste, D. V. (2003). Depression in older persons. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=17624

• Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175• Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Alzheimer's or depression: Could it be both? Retrieved from

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/HQ00212• Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression: Supporting loved ones through their battle with depression. Retrieved from

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016• NIMH (2008). Depression in Elderly Men http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/depression-in-

elderly-men.shtml• Nutrition Health Center (2008). Depression Statistics Information. Retrieved from

http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/Depression/statistics.htm • Segal, J., Jaffe, J., Davies, P. & Smith, M. (2007). Depression in older adults and the elderly: Recognizing the signs and

getting help. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_elderly.htm#signs

Copyright © 2010 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Leigh Ann Simmons; MFT, PhDformer Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Family Studies

Ester Edwards, BSGraduate studentDepartment of Family Studies

Leslie Crofford, MDProfessor, College of Medicine

April 2010

Health Education through Extension Leadership The development of the HEEL program was made possible by Senator Mitch McConnell with funds earmarked for the University of Kentucky, College o f Agriculture, Lexington Ky. and budgeted through the CSREES/USDA Federal Administration.

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