Resource can help identify depression in Seniors: more common than you might think.

Some Seniors experience depression; watch for the signs.

“My 72-year-old mother used to be vibrant and active, but since my dad passed away, she’s gradually become isolated and sullen. I’m worried that she’s depressed, but how can I know for sure?”

Home Instead Senior Care is finding that this type of question is being asked by an increasing number of Baby Boomers and other grown children of seniors.

While only a doctor can officially determine if a senior suffers from depression, according to the web site www.NIHSeniorHealth.gov, there are a few signs that may indicate that depression could be present. 

Take a quick review at the following list of indicators :

• feeling nervous or emotionally “empty”
• feelings of excessive guilt or worthlessness
• fatigue or a “slowed-down” feeling
• restlessness and irritability
• feeling like life is not worth living;
• sleep problems, including trouble getting to sleep, very early moning wakefulness, or sleeping too much
• eating more or less than usual
• persistent headaches, stomachaches or other chronic pain that doesn’t go away when treated.

The www.NIHSeniorHealth.gov web site, a joint effort of the National Institute on Aging and the National Library of Medicine, recently added resource information on depression to their web site to help educate seniors and their families about this very common but often undiagnosed affliction.

Big life changes that occur as people age, such as the loss of a spouse, often lead to depression, though experts say it is not considered a normal part of aging.  Even so, if depression is present, the sooner it is definitively diagnosed the better. If depression is detected, a doctor might recommend therapy or medication.

The full story, and stories like this one can be found at Home Instead of Richmond’s website under “Senior Care issues that families face.”  If the special senior in your life isn’t particularly outgoing, simply give a call to Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond, at 804.527.1100 and we’ll be glad to help you help your loved one.  We offer non-medical homecare services, even those things as simple as medication reminders and companionship services, to seniors and their caregivers.