The Relationship Between Older Adults and Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that affects how you think, feel, and handle daily activities in your life. In the United States, nearly 5% of all adults have regular feelings of depression. That equates to around 10 million people. Depression is a threat that everyone in the world faces, but it can be even more dangerous for different groups of people and at certain stages of our lives, including in older adults and seniors. In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between older adults and depression.

Depression in Older Adults

Depression is not a normal part of aging, but it can become more prevalent as we get older due to particular circumstances in our lives that increase our risk. Risk factors for depression in older adults include:

• Lacking a supportive social network
• Living alone or being isolated from others
• Being female
• Experiencing stressful life events, like losing a loved one
• Being single, unmarried, divorced, or widowed
• Taking certain medications or a combination of medications
• Having (or previously having had) certain physical conditions, like hypertension, diabetes, stroke, dementia, cancer, atrial fibrillation, and chronic pain
• Having other illnesses or diseases
• Fearing death
• Having a disability
• Substance abuse
• Family history of major depressive disorder
• Previous history of depression
• Losing independence, like through being hospitalized or requiring home healthcare
• Having previously attempted suicide

These are only some of the causes of depression in older adults, as various factors can play a role in different situations. While only about 5% of older adults living in the community suffer from depression, that percentage rises to over 13% for older adults requiring home healthcare and over 11% for older patients who are hospitalized. This illustrates how other life events and health issues can increase the likelihood of being depressed.

 Signs and symptoms of depression in older adults include:

• Feeling hopeless or pessimistic
• Constantly feeling sad, anxious, or empty
• Being increasingly irritable, frustrated, or restless
• Losing interest in things you normally enjoy, like hobbies and activities
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
• Having decreased energy and feeling fatigued
• Experiencing sleep issues, like having trouble sleeping, oversleeping, and more
• Over- or undereating, changes in appetite, and unplanned weight changes
• Frequently thinking about death
• Attempting suicide or having thoughts of suicide

Feelings of loneliness, isolation, and sadness, can be particularly high around the holidays, especially if older adults aren’t able to spend time with their loved ones. This can cause these feelings to develop into depression. That’s why it’s important to know what depression looks like and take action. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, consider reaching out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration for help by calling or texting 988. 

At Celebrate Senior Living, we are committed to celebrating the moments, victories, and memories that will last a lifetime for our residents and their loved ones. This includes promoting good mental health and providing our residents with opportunities to live a fulfilling, happy life. We are a Midwest-based foundation that serves Illinois and Indiana residents by offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing living options. We also provide three delicious, healthy meals a day to ensure our residents get the nutrients they need!
If you or a loved one are interested in senior living options, schedule a tour with us today! You can also learn more by exploring our communities, which include South Holland, Niles, and Fort Wayne, or by contacting us with any other questions!