How to Care for the Elderly With Depression

Lifting Wounded Spirits

Depression is common in the elderly, but the solutions are less difficult than one might think. Sometimes, milder depression is as easy to treat as simply dedicating more time to the elderly. More severe depression, however, might require psychoanalysis or medication. The trick is to find the right care for each individual case.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

Attention, Activities, Medical Attention

1. Spend more time with the elderly. Often times the elderly feel as though they have been abandoned both literally and figuratively. They may have lost a spouse or their children may visit less. For this reason, if an elderly person shows signs of mild depression, it might be a simple matter of giving more attention to them. Visit more often, plan activities together, bring grandchildren to play, eat together and assure them, through this process, that they are not alone. It has been proven that family life and community help the elderly live longer, happier lives, as quoted in an article by David E. Hayes-Bautista on CESLAC's website (Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture: cesla.med.ucla.edu).

2. Enroll the elderly in activities. There are programs in communities around the United States, such as Silver Sneakers, that promote group, physical activity. They have fitness locations and classes (Tai Chi is a popular exercise) that the elderly can take. For more information on the Silver Sneaker program see silversneakers.com. Physical activity and peers will lift the spirits of the elderly by literally getting their blood pumping and also bringing friendship back into their lives.

3. Consider Acupuncture. Depression can often be a result of a body's imbalances. Chinese medicine and acupuncture specifically, aims at putting the body back into balance, as well as allowing the body's life flow (the Chi or Qi) to pulse through the body properly. Also, Chinese doctors and acupuncturists tend to spend more time with their patients trying to find the root of problems instead of just treating symptoms which can be very good for the elderly, especially since the treatment is non-intrusive and gentle.

4. Find a psychoanalyst. Just as with younger sufferers of depression, psychotherapy is still a good idea for the elderly when nothing else seems to be working to lift their spirits. Often times, an elderly person needs someone to talk to about feelings that they are insecure about sharing with family and friends. In other cases, the elderly might not know why they are sad or "down". Here, a psychoanalyst can help find the reasons. Call the elderly person's health provider for a list of psychoanalysts in their area.

5. Find proper medication for the elderly. When nothing else seems to work, the elderly can take antidepressants. One of the reasons why this should be a last resort is because elderly patients often take a number of medications and adding yet another prescription has to be a careful venture since drugs may interact badly with each other or may cause side-effects. However, if it is necessary, it can be done with the help of a doctor and psychiatrist.

Tips & Warnings

• Try different approaches. No one person, or elderly person, is the same. If one of these solutions don't work, try another, until you find the right one for the person in your care.

• Be careful not to over-medicate an elderly person. Antidepressants should be a last solution.

References

• Web MD: Depression in the Elderly
• Center For The Study Of Latino Health And Culture: Latin Lifestyle for long living
• Silver Sneakers: Senior fitness program
• Acufinder: Accupuncture referral service