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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