Depression in Older Adults – Unique Challenges and Treatment

As humans, we are built for connection: to be around others, to have support around us, and to be able to support others, too – it’s how we survive and thrive. Sometimes, though, as you grow older, you might find yourself spending more time alone, and studies have shown that isolation is associated with a higher risk of becoming depressed.^[4]

Research shows that good social connections are one of the best factors to protect against depression. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or an activity group, it’s good to spend time with others and remind yourself that you are not alone.^[5]

We know that depression can have symptoms like problems with concentration and memory problems, but is it true the other way around? Can memory problems contribute to the risk of depression?

Studies suggest that it goes both ways when it comes to memory and depression – depression can lead to memory problems, and memory loss can result in depressive symptoms. When you become more forgetful it may make you feel helpless and less confident, which can impact your mood.^[6]

Stress is a major risk factor for depression. As we grow older we are likely to have various stresses come along. Money issues, illness, moving home, and bereavement can all add extra weight onto our shoulders.^[7]

Studies show that if we can manage stress well, we can reduce our symptoms of depression. With that in mind, some useful ways of managing your daily stress levels include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, finding relaxing hobbies, and doing breathing exercises.^[8][9]

Your physical health can affect your mental well-being. When you don’t feel well, it can be much harder to get out and do things you enjoy which can impact your mood. But also, there are certain physical conditions that can increase your risk for depression. It is more common in people with medical conditions like heart disease or cancer.^[10][11]

Older people often prefer talking therapies, which makes them a great option for treating depression. Therapy can help address any underlying problems that might be triggering or keeping depression going.^[18] Plus, it teaches you coping strategies for when you feel down.^[19]

Research shows that some of the most effective talking therapies for elderly depression are cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), behavioural activation, and problem-solving treatments.

This type of therapy aims to help you recognize and change unhelpful thoughts, behaviors, or beliefs that you may have that contribute to your depression. You can learn to challenge and replace these negative thoughts or behaviors with healthier, more positive ones. CBT is considered the best standard we currently have in the field of therapy for treating depression, and it has been researched extensively and found to be effective.^[20]

This approach focuses on finding connections between your activities and your mood, rather than examining your thoughts and feelings. It can help you to make practical changes that may help lift your mood. Current evidence suggests that this is an effective type of therapy for treating depression in older adults.^[21]

This therapy helps you to identify problems and develop plans to solve them. It is practical and can be used to tackle problems contributing to depression like managing finances, and social isolation. This approach can lead to the person feeling more empowered and able to make decisions for themselves that are positive for their well-being. It’s shown to be effective in helping reduce symptoms of depression in older adults with more severe symptoms.^[22]

Do you think someone you love may be depressed? Knowing what symptoms to look for is an important part of helping them, because if they are not aware that they may be depressed then they are not going to be able to reach out for help. Some of the main symptoms of depression in seniors are:^[17]

• A sad, anxious, or ‘empty’ type of mood that won’t go away
• Feeling hopeless, guilty, or worthless
• Being irritable or restless
• Losing interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Low energy or feeling fatigued
• Moving or talking more slowly than usual
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
• Ignoring responsibilities with work or family
• Sleep problems (waking up too early, sleeping too late)
• Appetite changes
• Thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide

If they recognize some of these signs, then they may be feeling depressed.

Perhaps they don’t show signs outwardly, but when you talk to them they seem to imply their life feels empty, that they feel sad or numb.^[17] Catching these cues and listening to a person can be a great way to support someone. When you want to talk to them about looking for help for depression, remember to be patient and understanding.

Share your concerns and acknowledge how they feel while gently encouraging them to look for professional help and support. You could offer to help them look into options or to make and attend appointments with them if that would make it feel more manageable for them. Depression is a medical condition that can be effectively treated and shouldn’t be ignored.

You could start a conversation by saying something along the lines of “I’ve noticed you don’t seem like your usual self recently” and let them know that you want to help them. Remind them that depression is a common condition and is treatable. Ask open-ended questions so you can understand how they feel. When you are talking with them, be patient as they might not have thought about how they are feeling, and they may need some time to process what you’ve talked about and whether they may want to seek support.

Depression is a medical condition and should be taken as seriously as any other condition. Receiving professional mental health support can significantly improve the quality of life and well-being of the elderly with depression.

Seeking out support for depression can help to improve mood, reduce isolation, and help you to feel better. Whether that’s through seeking out support groups, visiting the doctor to talk about how you’re doing, talk therapy, or medication, there are options to help you. You don’t have to feel this way.