How to identify signs of depression and loneliness in elderly people?
Many presume it would be simple to detect depression and loneliness in the elderly; after all, there are visible indications of sadness, such as tears and lethargy. However, like many other ailments, depression often manifests differently in the elderly compared with the younger generation. For example, an elderly person with depression may not inherently feel sad but may instead complain about a lack of energy and attribute symptoms to ageing. Thus, depression among the elderly is more than just feeling sad or blue; it is a serious mood disorder that affects many older adults and requires care.
Loneliness is one of the biggest healthcare crises faced by elderly people today in the UK. According to Age UK, over one million elderly individuals go at least one month without communicating with their loved ones. However, elderly loneliness can also influence those who have a social support system. Long-term isolation can lead to negative thoughts, low self-esteem, and even depression. It may also be associated with elevated blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
In this article, we will discuss the early warning signs of depression and loneliness in the elderly that must be identified.
What is depression in elderly people?
Depression is a mental illness that affects people of all ages. While it is common to feel low sometimes, if it persists for more than 2 weeks or affects your ability to function normally, seek medical attention. Sometimes, elderly individuals believe their depressive symptoms are due to their age, poor health, or dementia. Most people in old age don't prefer to talk about depression, as they feel ashamed or don't want to acknowledge they are unable to cope with it. This delays assessment and treatment for a long time.
It is uncommon for a person in excellent health to develop depression for the first time after the age of 60, though it is possible for a few individuals to do so.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression among seniors?
In order to identify depression among elderly people, you should know the signs and symptoms, which include:
1. Sadness and feelings of despair
2. Unexplained or aggravated aches and pains
3. Loss of memory or interest in socialising or hobbies
4. Weight loss or loss of appetite
5. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
6. Lack of motivation, self-worth, and energy
7. Slowed movement or speech
8. Increased alcohol and substance consumption
9. Suicidal tendency
10. Neglecting personal care
What is loneliness among older people?
Loneliness among older people has been prevalent even before the pandemic. Post-pandemic, however, many social activities had to be halted due to the pandemic. Therefore, it becomes essential to reintroduce social activities so that the elderly are not left behind in this altered world.
What are the signs of loneliness in the elderly?
There are various signs of loneliness among older people, but mostly these depend on the individual, including:
1. Change in appetite:
If an elderly individual begins to eat less or loses interest in food, this could be an indication of loneliness. Sometimes overeating is also a sign of loneliness. The feeling of emptiness when alone is sometimes misinterpreted as hunger.
2. Anger:
Sometimes, loneliness manifests itself as wrath, especially in the elderly, who may feel embarrassed about being alone but are too proud to admit it. Anger can also arise when people feel misunderstood, excluded from decision-making, or unheard, which all contribute to feelings of loneliness. Anger does not always manifest as shouting or arguing; it can also manifest as becoming quiet, disinterested, or generally negative.
3. Sleep:
Loneliness can disrupt sleeping patterns, leading to seniors experiencing short periods of quality sleep and insomnia symptoms such as finding it hard to sleep or feeling tired and irritable frequently.
4. Increased buying habits:
It has been discovered that loneliness can turn senior citizens into shopaholics. A change in shopping habits may indicate that your elderly loved one is lonely and searching for something to do.
5. Taking more hot baths:
Since physical warmth is commonly associated with comfort, many individuals will substitute warmth for social comfort when they are feeling lonely. Taking hot baths and showers or keeping the heat on during the milder months may indicate loneliness.
6. Increase in internet use:
While we may believe that the Internet is a wonderful way for our more tech-savvy loved ones to stay in touch, when it becomes the only way for an elderly person to interact with others, it may be an indication of loneliness.
How can elderly people address depression and loneliness?
There are plenty of proactive and reactive ways older people can avoid depression and loneliness, including:
1. Maintain connections:
Strong social connections have a huge impact on seniors. Thus, if family carers or loved ones can't visit the person daily, they should ensure to schedule consistent times to bond with their older loved ones through phone or video calls. Some elderly people might not be comfortable using technology. Carers should remember that even if you show seniors how to use a phone to make video calls, they might not be able to grasp it quickly. Carers must be ready to walk through the procedures a couple of times so that the senior gets comfortable using the phone.
2. Focus on happy memories:
Assist your loved one in savouring and capturing meaningful memories, such as by enrolling them in a social group, when the present is challenging. Here are some concepts you may wish to consider:
a) Ask family members to take the senior to their favourite outdoor spot.
b) Ask your elderly loved one to share their favourite recipe, cook it, and share it with them in person if possible; otherwise, send a photo of the final result.
Such practises are especially helpful for people who have cognitive issues. They may go back in time, and their reality might not be the same as yours. If you could play along with them, they would feel more comfortable.
3. Utilise tech devices:
In addition to video calls, there are other ways in which elderly people can stay connected with you. Encourage them to take pictures and share them with you, or if they are tech-savvy, they might enjoy playing online games with you.
4. Look for meaning and purpose:
One of the main reasons elderly people prefer being alone is because they feel their lives have become meaningless. Therefore, caretakers should create opportunities for the elderly to feel like they are making a contribution or difference in someone's life.
5. Encourage healthy habits:
Carers should ensure that their senior loved one is following proper sleep hygiene, doing their daily exercise, eating on time, and so on. If the senior has impairments, encourage them to exercise, which they can do while sitting down. Elderly people should be discouraged from consuming sugar, alcohol, or any other illegal drugs, while they should be encouraged to take enough Vitamin D or light therapy if they don't get enough sunlight.
6. Seek medical intervention:
If none of the above tactics works, seek medical intervention, wherein you book an appointment with a telemedicine provider or an in-person visit with a primary care physician. They may be able to help treat the depression or give advice on how to tackle such situations.
These are some of the ways in which family carers can help their loved ones deal with depression and loneliness. If you are unable to give proper attention due to your personal life, seek professional help, like that of an agency carer. Nurses Group Homecare in the UK can help you in such situations where we arrange for carers to visit your loved one based on their needs.