From Blue to You From Blue to You

Depression and Older AdultsDepression and Older Adults

VignetteVignette

Meet FrankMeet Frank

What is going on with Frank? What is going on with Frank?

• He has lost interest in his hobbies, friends, He has lost interest in his hobbies, friends, and family. and family.

• His movement and speech have slowed.His movement and speech have slowed.

• Frank has a lack of interest in his personal Frank has a lack of interest in his personal care and health.care and health.

What is depression? What is depression?

• A mental disorder or illness A mental disorder or illness

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

Is it depression or is it grief?Is it depression or is it grief?

• Grief is common in older adults due to frequent Grief is common in older adults due to frequent losses (spouses, friends)losses (spouses, friends)

• Grief may look like depressionGrief may look like depression

• Grief resolves over time; depression persistsGrief resolves over time; depression persists

How common is depression in older How common is depression in older adults? adults?

• Frank is not aloneFrank is not alone

• Depression affects about 15 Depression affects about 15 percent of of people over the age of 65people over the age of 65

What are the symptoms?

• Physical symptoms

• Emotional symptoms

• Psychosocial symptoms

Stigma

• Is very strong among older adults

• Prevents older adults from seeking treatment

• Contributes to the belief that there is no hope for help

• There is treatment available for FrankThere is treatment available for Frank

• Talk therapy

• Medication therapy

• Combination: talk and medication therapy

Treatment

• Address mental, social, and environmental Address mental, social, and environmental roots of depressionroots of depression

• Cognitive Behavioral TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Involve familyInvolve family

Talk therapyTalk therapy

Medication therapyMedication therapy

• SSRIsSSRIs

• Side effects do occurSide effects do occur

• Talk to doctor about the right choiceTalk to doctor about the right choice

Combination therapyCombination therapy

• Talk therapy plus medicationTalk therapy plus medication

• Consistently shown to be most effectiveConsistently shown to be most effective

Where to go for helpWhere to go for help

• Health care professionalHealth care professional

• Social servicesSocial services

• OnlineOnline

Online ResourcesOnline ResourcesSupport groupsSupport groupshttp://forums.psychcentral.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=depressionChat roomsChat roomshttp://www.depressionhaven.orgBlogsBlogshttp://ronnibennett.typepad.com/elderstorytelling/about.htmlWebsitesWebsiteshttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_elderly.htm

If you were Frank’s family If you were Frank’s family member, how could you help? member, how could you help?

• Get helpGet help

• Encourage him to stick with Encourage him to stick with treatmenttreatment

• Offer emotional supportOffer emotional support

• Invite him to do thingsInvite him to do things

• Plan and prepare healthy mealsPlan and prepare healthy meals

• Do not expect a “quick fix”Do not expect a “quick fix”

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

• Get helpGet help

• Get informedGet informed

• Avoid alcohol and drugsAvoid alcohol and drugs

• Don’t get upset if you can’t sleepDon’t get upset if you can’t sleep

• Get out in to the world Get out in to the world

• Connect to others Connect to others

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

• Participate in activities you enjoyParticipate in activities you enjoy

• Volunteer your timeVolunteer your time

• Take care of a petTake care of a pet

• Learn a new skillLearn a new skill

• Enjoy jokes and stories Enjoy jokes and stories

• Maintain a healthy diet Maintain a healthy diet

• ExerciseExercise

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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