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Depression is a serious problem among seniors. According to Mental Health America, more than 19 million adults of all ages experience depression, and more than 2 million elderly adults suffer from the condition. Older adults might be more prone to depression due to certain life circumstances; for example, those who have chronic health conditions are more likely to be depressed.
Unfortunately, depression is often overlooked in the elderly as a “natural” part of aging.1 But the CDC points out that depression is not a natural part of growing older. It is a medical condition that needs to be treated any time it appears, taken as seriously as any other health condition. Older adults who are socially isolated, have chronic conditions, deal with a lot of stress, or have trouble managing the activities of daily living are more likely to experience depression, though the deep blues can strike anyone for seemingly no reason at all.2
And sometimes, the symptoms of depression can mimic problems that might show up with other chronic conditions. One of the most concerning aspects of depression for the elderly is the potential for memory loss.
Two reports have linked depression to memory loss. One study in Trends in Neuroscience found that those with depression have difficulty recalling memories, especially happy ones. Another study in Psychological Medicine found that those with depression struggle to recall life memories.
What does this mean? Should seniors worry about depression speeding up cognitive decline? Is the memory loss permanent?
The Symptoms to Watch For
The symptoms of depression can sometimes be tough to spot. Some of them are very subtle, such as sleeping too much or becoming irritable much easier than you used to. According to the National Institute on Aging, here are the symptoms of depression to watch out for:
· A sad, anxious, or negative mood that never goes away
· Feeling hopeless, helpless, guilty, or worthless
· Feeling irritable and restless
· Lower energy and serious fatigue
· Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
· Moving slowly and talking in a slower tempo
· Trouble with insomnia or sleeping too much
· Eating more or less than usual
· Difficulty with concentrating or remembering things
· Thoughts of death or suicide
Keep in mind that someone might not have all of these symptoms but may still be depressed. For instance, you might take no interest in things that once thrilled you, but your sleep schedule has been perfect. Or you might eat the same amount of food as you used to, but it takes a great deal of energy to make a sandwich.
Because the symptoms can come and go, it’s important to be able to spot them when they occur and look for patterns that might indicate depression has settled in. If you suffer from fatigue, insomnia, or moving more slowly, those are all excellent reasons to select a personal alarm button for safety and protection.
A very important note: if you are having thoughts of death or suicide, get help right away. Don’t wait! Reach out immediately to your doctor or mental health professional. Tell family and friends how you are feeling. Don’t hesitate to call the suicide hotline by dialing 988. You can also press the button on your medical alert device to get a professional on the line who can get you the assistance you need right away.
Depression and Memory Loss
Scientists have good theories on why memory loss and depression are so strongly linked. One of the biggest clues is that those who are depressed tend to have a better memory of negative things but difficulty in recalling positive things. That contributes to a feedback loop that makes depression more severe. And the worse the depression, the worse the memory difficulty gets.
This is the result of the changes in the brain that depression can cause. These changes can be related to hormones and how the brain uses them. They can also be related to the physical changes the brain undergoes during depression. The biochemical and physical changes in the brain impair the ability to learn new information, which can lead to a poorer short term memory, but they can also make it difficult to retrieve prior knowledge.
The very good news, however, is that studies have found that the memory loss isn’t permanent. When the depression lifts, the memory issues should resolve as well.
That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor about what you are feeling; a doctor who doesn’t know you are depressed might think that there are deeper cognitive changes happening, such as those you would expect with dementia, and treat you accordingly. Not getting the appropriate help for your depression can perpetuate the cycle that keeps you feeling depressed and keeps your memory fuzzy.
And some studies suggest that extended bouts of depression later in life can lead to faster cognitive decline. Depression is actually a strong predictor of dementia risk, according to research in The Lancet Psychiatry. Treating the depression means improving your odds of staying cognitively healthy throughout your golden years.
Save Your Memory by Treating Depression
Once you know for certain your memory loss is linked to depression and not dementia or another type of cognitive decline, you can work on treating the depression and thus improve your memory. Here are some of the recommended treatments for older adults, according to the American Psychological Association:3
· Counseling. This involves working with a professional counselor to tackle the things in your life that are currently making you depressed. These might include problematic relationships or circumstances that have taken a toll on your mental health.
· Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This common therapy looks at current circumstances and symptoms and how those affect your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Changing the negative or harmful patterns is the point of this type of therapy. Group CBT therapy can allow others to help you along in the journey as well as provide socialization within the context of depression treatment.
· Life Review or Reminiscence Therapy. This therapy helps older adults look at their life through a lens of positive feelings, reviewing what they’ve been through and how it shapes who they are now. The goal of this therapy is to reach acceptance and a better understanding of how life led you right where you need to be. This can also be effective in group therapy.
· Medication. Therapy in conjunction with medication for depression can work wonders for older adults. When you are prescribed a new medication, remember that side effects can be pronounced for a few days or weeks until your body adjusts to the medication. That means it’s the right time to protect yourself with a medical alert bracelet or wristband.
Life Adjustments to Manage Depression
When you are diagnosed with depression, do what you can to improve your mood and reach for better mental health. These tips can help you fight depression.
· Get into an exercise routine. Though exercise might be the last thing you want to do, making yourself get out there and do something matters. Not only do you get the benefits of the exercise itself, you also get the feeling of accomplishment – it feels good to take care of yourself! Exercise can release hormones that make you feel better.
· Get better sleep. If you aren’t sleeping enough, change the atmosphere of your room to be as comfortable as possible. That means keeping the bedroom at just the right temperature, choosing the linens and bedding that make you most comfortable, and keeping the light where you need it to get into a deep sleep. Adding melatonin might help, as could a warm shower and a warm cup of tea before bed. If you are sleeping too much, ease into a routine of seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
· Try prayer or meditation. These are two coping mechanisms that have worked for centuries, so why not give it a shot? By stilling your mind and body, you can become more centered, physically and emotionally. Either can be done in the comfort of your home.
· Look to other relaxation techniques. Relaxation imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and music therapy are all ways to relax the body and the mind. Look for anything that helps you relax, from reading to working a jigsaw puzzle to cooking your favorite dish.
All of these activities and changes aren’t just suitable for fighting depression; they are good for mental health in general, as well as great for helping improve or protect cognitive ability. That’s a good reason to keep up these healthy habits long after depression has lifted.
As you embark on your journey to improve your mental health and fight cognitive decline, let Alert1 support your goals. A mobile medical alert system with fall detection and GPS can help you feel safe and secure no matter where you are.
