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     By Darleen Mahoney

     Depression is a common problem in
     older adults. It may be difficult to dis-
     tinguish the difference between a senior
     who is just feeling “sad” and one who
     is experiencing geriatric depression.
     Geriatric depression is a mental or emo-
     tional disorder affecting older adults.
     Those seniors who are would fall under
     “high risk” and might be those who have
     experienced strokes, hypertension, atrial
     fibrillation, diabetes, cancer, demen-
     tia, or chronic pain. There are specific
     signs that would tend to lend more to
     geriatric depression over moments of
     sadness. It is important to be aware of
     these signs because there are also steps
     to take to help our seniors; depression   “Instead, they show signs of distress by
     is not a normal stage to getting older.   wringing their hands excessively, getting
     Their “golden years” should be just   agitated or irritable, or having difficulty
     that…golden!                        sitting still.” according to Dr. Strem

     Some signs and symptoms to look for   (www.health.com/health).
     would include: decreased energy levels,   Be vigilant of these types of communi-
     more physical problems, such as arthri-  cation signs as well as the physical signs
     tis and headaches. Other signs that need   to be more proactive in care and getting
     to be addressed quite seriously would   the help needed.
     be loss of self-worth, slowed speech,
     increasing alcohol intake or drugs,   The good news is there is help! There
     thoughts of suicide.                are medications as well as lifestyle
                                         changes!
     Because depression is not normal and
     addressing the signs with our elderly   Medications Include: www.healthline.com/
     can be tricky, pay attention to signs   health/depression/elderly#treatment5
     other than verbal.                  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
                                          (SSRIs)
       “Older adults often say, ‘I am not sad,”
     or ‘I am not lonely,’ because they do not   • Selective serotonin-norepinephrine
     want to be a burden on the family,”   reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
                                         • Tricyclic antidepressants
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