The Mental Signs of Elderly Depression

 

 

The Mental Signs of Elderly Depression

Last week, we discussed the various aspects of elderly depression, from a brief overview (i.e. the physical effects, suicide rates, and the importance of addressing such issues), to the causes of depression, and finally the physical signs of depression.

Many elderly loved ones may experience a form of depression that goes unnoticed because they aren’t willing to open up about their experiences. This is often due to the stigma attached to them, which in turn requires a little detective work on your end.

Last week, we gave you the physical signs of elderly depression, and to complete our list, today, we’re going to talk about a few of the mental signs that may indicate that your loved one has elderly depression. Take a look below:

  • Frequent mood swings. Perhaps the most common sign of depression, your loved one may experience extreme changes in mood, such as going from an extremely happy mood to extremely sad or upset. It’s often difficult to know when a mood change will strike. They may occur from day to day, or within a matter of hours from one another. The cause of these mood swings may not be so apparent, and often seems small or trivial to the outsider who doesn’t understand depression.
  • Loss of interest in hobbies or withdrawal from social activities. You may also notice that your parent is beginning to lose interest in things that were once important to them, such as hobbies, friends, and even family. In turn, your parent may be reluctant to see their friends, leave home, or engage in any sort of activity, and may make comments about the pointlessness of these things that were extremely important to them at one point in time.
  • Increased feeling of guiltiness. Your parent may also express a lack of self-regard, which is often followed by extreme feelings of guilt, such as feelings of worthlessness or worries about being a burden.
  • Thoughts of suicide. Thoughts of suicide are very real among the elderly, and can prove to be fatal if they go unnoticed. If you’ve heard your parents make frequent remarks about the desire to die, or any mention of suicidal thoughts, be sure to seek attention immediately.

Depression is a very serious issue that affects many aging parents. Here at Encompass, we believe that it’s important to have a full understanding of what elderly depression entails.

For the rest of the week, we’ll be discussing ways you can help your parents overcome their depression. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about your loved one, please feel free to give us a call. We’re here to help.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living “ currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa “provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

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“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”