Senior Depression: Can It Be Addressed at Home?

fastest-growing and most devastating conditions is depression — especially among seniors. As a chronic illness, depression can deteriorate the victim’s quality of life, or even shorten it. In worst-case scenarios, depression can lead to catastrophic events, like suicide.

When most of us think of serious illnesses, a few salient ones come to mind, like heart disease, diabetes, or maybe even cancer. But what a lot of people don’t know is that one of the fastest-growing and most devastating conditions is depression — especially among seniors. As a chronic illness, depression can deteriorate the victim’s quality of life, or even shorten it. In worst-case scenarios, depression can lead to catastrophic events, like suicide.
When I was the Director of Social Services at a nursing home, I saw many seniors struggling with depression. This tragedy was often compounded by the fact that the patients and their families were unaware of the disease – or their options to manage it. Fortunately, senior depression is treatable. If caught in time, symptoms can often be alleviated, leaving the patient free to live a full and rewarding life – often in the homes they’ve lived in for decades.

elderly man
Depression affects many seniors, many of whom don’t even fully understand the illness.
Image source: Flickr user Xavi Talleda

Senior depression is often silent

Unlike teenagers (who may act out when depressed) or middle-aged adults (who may verbalize when they feel symptomatic), depressed seniors often keep silent about their condition. There are many reasons for this. One is that when seniors were growing up, depression was not understood as well as it is today. Doctors now recognize depression as a medical illness, but seniors may still be under the impression that it’s a character flaw. This can make them reluctant to bring it up for fear of seeming “weak.”
Another reason depressed seniors may be reluctant to talk about their feelings is because they are physically or cognitively unable to do so. Many elderly adults have suffered strokes, aneurysms, and other cerebral events that affect speech. In addition, dementia and traumatic brain injuries can limit the victim’s capacity to communicate. In these cases, it is advisable to look for non-verbal signs of depression, such as disinterest in everyday activities, or severe agitation.

Why seniors may be depressed

Every stage of life has its issues and challenges, and becoming a senior is no different. During my work at several nursing homes, I saw many individuals suffer a perceived loss of independence, identity, and autonomy when they were admitted to long-term care. Such a change in living circumstances would surely grieve a person at any age. But that wasn’t the only challenge my patients had to deal with. They were frequently coping with other illnesses that tested their patience and pain tolerance. Coupled with the loss of close friends and familiar surroundings, depression would often set in, and quickly.

Senior depression can be treated at home

Fortunately, long-term care is not the only option when it comes to senior living arrangements. Studies show that it may be less expensive to care for elders at home – and most of them prefer it! Today’s home care options offer a balance of familiarity, security, and independence that go a long way in mitigating the effects of mental illnesses. Simply being in their preferred environment helps depressed seniors feel a sense of comfort and control often absent in other settings.
Be sure to check with your elderly loved one’s physician or therapist before finding the right care option for them. If necessary, include depression in your treatment plan. Remember – depression doesn’t have to be a degenerative disease. It can be managed – often right in the patient’s home.
If you are unsure of how to best help an aging loved one, the trained and compassionate staff at the Institute on Aging is here to help you make that decision and gain the best in at-home senior care. Contact us to find out more.

Institute on Aging

Institute on Aging

Related Posts

Questions?

Give our dedicated Client Service Specialists a call. We are ready to help.

Follow Us

Three and a half years ago, Maggie Fang started her journey as an Assessment Specialist in the Support at Home Program at IOA. Her excellent people skills enabled her to manage a caseload of older adults and individuals with disabilities, helping them receive homecare to age in place. Maggie was selected to pioneer the Temporary Respite Caregiver Support program, and we are delighted to have such a skilled and dedicated individual leading our newest program at IOA. Thank you, Maggie, for your exceptional work! 

#SocialWorkMonth #WeAppreciateyou #ThankYou #SupportatHome #CaseManager #SocialWorkerAppreciation
Join us at the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center as Caregiver Coach Alex shares with us the incredible support and care provided to participants living with dementia. Clients enjoy various engaging activities, from music therapy to art classes, designed to stimulate their cognitive and physical abilities. The skilled staff at the Enrichment Center also provides caregivers with much-needed support and respite, allowing them to take a break and attend to their needs. If you or someone you know is looking for support in caring for a loved one with dementia, the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center in the Presidio is an excellent resource for you! 

Learn more by visiting the link in our bio! 

#DementiaCare #EnrichmentCenter #AdultDayProgram #CaregiverSupport #Presidio #Dementia #Memory #Caregiver
At Insitute on Aging, we are committed to attracting and retaining top talent, and we are incredibly fortunate to have Manuel Martinez on our team. With his extensive expertise in housing and community resources, Manuel has been an invaluable asset to our organization. Recently, he was promoted to the role of Assessment Specialist II in our Adults with Disabilities - Home Delivered Meals program. In addition to managing a caseload, Manuel has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and has become an expert in program management. We are grateful for Manuel's unwavering commitment to IOA and the community we serve. Thank you, Manuel, for your dedication and passion in making a difference in the lives of others. 
#SocialWorkMonth #IOATeam #TopTalent #CommunitySupport #HomeDeliveredMeals #SupportingAdultsWithDisabilities
In honor of #SocialWorkMonth, we're shining a spotlight on one of our exceptional social workers - Patty Myers! 

Patty has dedicated her career and volunteer efforts to support older adults and adults with disabilities in San Francisco. As the Resident Services Coordinator for Institute on Aging's Support in Independent Living program, Patty wears many hats to ensure that the 120+ residents of Martin Luther Towers Senior Housing can age in place comfortably. Her talent for connecting individuals with resources has enabled her to go above and beyond to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all. Patty's commitment to her work has been unwavering, and we are grateful to have her on our team at IOA. 

#SeniorCare #SocialWork #SupportingTheElderly #SocialWorker #SocialWork #NationalSocialWorkerMonth #Services #Coordinator #Joinourteam