Depression in Seniors Is NOT Normal or To Be Expected

http://www.ageexperts.net/guides/for-60s/depression-after-age-60-and-how-to-deal-with-it

The other evening I attended a meeting of folks all over 65.  We had a new participant in our group who appeared to be in his mid '70's.  It became evident after a while that this man was severely depressed and unable to function in a "normal" way.  My first thought was that this was probably just a normal part of aging for some.  After all, as we get older, we begin to suffer much loss:  friends, family, careers, and more. 

My assessment was wrong, however.  Depression among the elderly is not normal.  Whatever the age, depression should be dealt with by medical or mental health professionals. 

Depression is a general feeling of being down emotionally. A person suffering from depression may feel bad about a multitude of things or may not have any particular reason for feeling low.  Depression can strike suddenly, or can come about slowly. It can be chronic or episodic.

The National Institute for Mental Health Lists these symptoms of Depression

Signs and symptoms include:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.

If someone you care about seems to be exhibiting these symptoms, you should encourage them to see their doctor or therapist.  In addition, you will want to provide them with encouragement and love as they deal with the medical and/or emotional issues that are at the root of the depression.

Depression is a serious and debilitation illness that can easily lead to or contribute to other medical maladies and/or interfere with recovery from disease or injury. 

For another excellent article, see:  http://www.ageexperts.net/guides/for-60s/depression-after-age-60-and-how-to-deal-with-it

BrightStarCare.com/jupiter can be of help in these types of circumstances.  Call us to discuss any level of care from companions to skilled nursing. 

BrightStar of Jupiter/Martin County

725 North A1A suite E-104

Jupiter, FL 33477

561-741-1200

10 Signs of Dementia Reported by Jupiter Home Health Care Agency

Not All Forgetfulness Is Evidence of Dementia.  Not All Dementia is Alzheimers

As part of a small group of mostly seniors, the wife's admitted that they were painfully aware of even the slightest behaviors that might be evidencing oncoming dementia.  The husbands immediately

became defensive (of course), and the women attempted to show them that it wasn't any type of criticism, but rather just concern that sometimes created anxiety.

I suspect that there are many middle age and senior adults who are anxiously wondering whether their loved one's failure to remember a date or the name of a famous movie star is normal or evidence of the first stages of much worse to come.

♦ Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60-80 percent of all cases of dementia in Americans.

Other Dementias

In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, there are several other diseases that are characterized by dementia symptoms, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington’s disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

• Vascular dementia is a common cause of dementia and is a result of brain damage from cerebrovascular or cardiovascular problems, such as strokes or endocarditis
• Lewy body dementia is a progressive form of dementia that involves the death of cells in the brain’s outer layer and part of the mid-brain. Many of the surviving cells in these areas contain abnormal structures called Lewy bodies
• Frontotemporal dementia is associated with the degeneration of nerve cells in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain
• Huntington’s disease is a hereditary disorder that causes degeneration in the brain and spinal cord
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is believed to be caused by an abnormal form of the prion protein^.

Dementia - Other Causes

Other conditions can also cause dementia or dementia-like symptoms include:

• reactions to medications
• nutritional deficiencies
• infections
• poisoning
• brain tumors
• and anoxia or hypoxia (conditions in which the brain’s oxygen supply is either reduced or cut off entirely)

Many of these other causes of dementia can be temporary or treatable.

One in nine people age 65 and older (11 percent) has Alzheimer’s disease. About one-third of people age 85 and older (32 percent) have Alzheimer’s disease.  A total of 15% of the population over 65 will suffer from some form of dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and the fifth-leading cause of death for those age 65 and older. One in three seniors will die with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.

As you review the list below, please pay special attention to the What's normal portion of each item.
We all want to be vigilant and quick to respond to actual illness.  But it is so easy to take the most normal activity out of context.  I don't want to be flip about so serious a subject, but a quick reading of this list would have had my mom and wife both thinking I had dementia from a very early age.

If you need help caring for a loved one, whether merely companion care, or even skilled nursing in the home, Bright Star Care can be a great resource for you.  Please don't hesitate to call or visit us at

BrightStar of Jupiter/Martin County
725 North A1A suite E-109
Jupiter, FL 33477
561-741-1200
http://brightstarcare.com/jupiter

	Memory loss
	Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later. What’s normal? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.

	Difficulty performing familiar tasks
	People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps to prepare a meal, place a telephone call or play a game. What’s normal? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.

	Problems with language
	People with Alzheimer’s disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. They may be unable to find their toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth." What’s normal? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

	Disorientation to time and place
	People with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost in their own neighborhoods, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home. What’s normal? Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.

	Poor or decreased judgment
	Those with Alzheimer’s may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment about money, like giving away large sums to telemarketers. What’s normal? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.

	Problems with abstract thinking
	Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are and how they should be used. What’s normal? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.

	Misplacing things
	A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. What’s normal? Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.

	Changes in mood or behavior
	Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger – for no apparent reason. What’s normal? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.

	Changes in personality
	The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member. What’s normal? People’s personalities do change somewhat with age.

	Loss of initiative
	A person with Alzheimer’s disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities. What’s normal? Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations.

from http://www.10signs.org/ten_signs.asp