Do you have any older people that are special in your life? Perhaps a grandpa, a grandma, a family friend that was like family to you? It is highly likely they have struggled with bouts of depression if they’ve lived long enough. Many of our elderly populations have been through two wars, a transformation in technology, gender updates, and more.
The following blog is all about the elderly and depression and ways to support those going through crisis in this population. I go over what science tells us, some personal and professional experiences and include some fun GIPHYs for your entertainment. If you stay to the end you’ll read about a program I’m really proud to share.
#1 Way: Be Aware of What Geriatric Depression Is
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Geriatric depression is a consistent and persistent sadness and lack of motivation to do things you once enjoyed as an elderly person. It is lasting at least two weeks but for many lasts longer than this.⠀
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Do you know someone that might be affected by this?⠀
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Give them an extra hug and compassion today 🤗 💜 ⠀
I remember one of my best friend’s Jason loved his grandma to pieces. We’d go to her house and hang out with her 🐶 and she’d share about her days in Indiana and what not. She was so tiny and he had to remind her to eat. She never left the house for anything unless she had to.
I was singing in a jazz group at the time and he had that evening off for once. Jason took his grandma to my show and she had a great time. I even caught her singing along to one of the songs I was singing. Her mind was going blank in a lot of the areas that once worked so well (like reminding her to eat when she is hungry). Her mind still worked in the musical area and she remembered all the lyrics to the music 🎼. I’m glad Jason invited her to join and encouraged her to get out of the 🏠.
#2 Way: Know Who Is Most Affected By Geriatric Depression⠀
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According to the American Association of Geriatric Mental Health, 15 of every 100 elderly adults are diagnosed or will be diagnosed with depression. Check out the article for more details. ⠀
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The author discusses 15 out of 100 are older than 65 and most of this group are in nursing homes or hospital settings. Some have had bouts earlier in life with depression but some are experiencing it for the first time.
If you work in a hospital or nursing home setting, remember to be extra kind to your patients. You could be the only socializing they have if their families don’t visit them.
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Be extra kind to those older than you today.⠀
#3 Way: Know What Some Common Symptoms Of Late-Life Depression Look Like⠀
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What Are The most common symptoms of late-life depression?:⠀
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💜 Persistent sadness (lasting two weeks or more)⠀
♥️ Feeling slowed down⠀
💜 Excessive worries about finances and health problems⠀
♥️ Frequent tearfulness⠀
💜 Feeling worthless or helpless⠀
♥️ Weight changes⠀
💜 Pacing and fidgeting⠀
♥️ Difficulty sleeping⠀
💜 Difficulty concentrating⠀
♥️ Physical symptoms such as pain or gastrointestinal problems.⠀
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These are just a few symptoms. If you notice any of these in a loved one, talk to them, talk to their doctor and get them the support they need.⠀
#4 Way: Know What Can Make The Elderly More Susceptible To Depression
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Illness and disease can increase the likeliness of the elderly going through bouts of depression. The most common illnesses that can increase this likeliness include:⠀
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Cancer 🤢 ⠀
Parkinson’s disease 🤢 ⠀
Heart Disease 💔 ⠀
Stroke 💔 🧠 ⠀
Alzheimer’s Disease 🧠 🤷♂️ ⠀
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If you know someone that’s elderly and diagnosed any any of these, be extra compassionate towards them as they may also be struggling with depression.⠀
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They may even mask it with a little crankiness, but deep down they’re feeling sad and could use some extra 💕.
Find out what brings them joy, like music, drawing, or some walking or swimming if its available and help create a positive environment for them.
#5 Way: Know How Move Happy® Can Help The Elderly With Depression
I designed Move Happy for my adult patients in a live-in psychiatric hospital. Ages ranged from mid 20s-80s with most of the patients in the 40s-70s ranges. ⠀
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There might have been an 82 year old in the group, but he was unsure of his birth year and because he came from homelessness, the records were unclear for his birth year. ⠀
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Nonetheless, the purpose of the group was to empower my patients to move towards their own happiness by participating in daily journaling, group discussion and a group workout together (even me)! ⠀
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I knew the power of journaling, group discussion and workouts on my own struggles with depression. However, I never saw any groups combine all 3 in one setting. ⠀
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So, I decided to run the group for the 16 weeks of our semester and gather my own reflections and the groups feedback. It turned into a BIG hit and we made some modifications and ran it another 2 times. ⠀
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I had so much engagement and improved fitness levels across the board. Not only were my patients’ moods enhanced (according to their self report), so was mine. I even scored a new promotion briefly and actually created 3 programs all in under 12 months. I owe it all to the kindness of my colleagues and the patients during the healing process of losing my father my 3rd day with patients. Enough of them encouraged me to share it with others (including my boss) so I’ve been sharing the story ever since.⠀
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You can score your own copy of the program here.
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40 percent of the proceeds goes back towards mental health World Tour Event, or you choice of mental health non profit (30 percent) and your local chapter of Big Brothers & Big Sisters (10 percent).⠀
Move Happy® Updates:
The Move Happy Movement Podcast© has over 370+ downloads! Keep in mind we didn’t start airing the show until 6 or 7 months ago. I’m excited for the listenership and am thinking about adding another episode release during the week of my own wellness advice and stories. Vote on which day during the week you’d prefer to listen by emailing me subject line “Add another podcast to ___________” let me know where you’re listening to as well and how it’s supporting you.
Move Happy Business Workshop© will be released early 2020. Details will be released soon. If you’re interested in some external trainings being provided to your team, email for a complimentary consult subject line “Move Happy Business Workshop.”
So there you have it folks. Depression is a condition that can wreak havoc on the elderly. However, we can find ways to be extra compassion and be kind towards those in hospitals/nursing homes. Depression can be a temporary thing that is situationally based or it can be something that the elderly struggle with on a daily basis. It is highly encouraged for everyone to be kind to all people of all ages because you never know what someone might be going through. We can help the elderly by providing things they enjoy to do (like artwork, music to listen to, or journals to write in). We can also ask them what makes them happy and see if its an option to provide to them. What we should never do is assume that they are mean old people because they’re old. They have value, they bring wisdom, and they can contribute even in their old age with occasional memory slips. Everyone matters.
Thanks for reading. If you found value in today’s blog, I’d be honored if you’d share it with a friend or family member and on your social media platforms. Please tag me in your posts and let’s help spread the word together about depression to help squash its power over our lives and the lives of our loved ones.
PS: Don’t forget to tell someone you love them today
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