As with most things in life, aging has its advantages and disadvantages. From a “glass is half full” point of view, getting older means having more confidence in who you are. It means enjoying retirement, traveling, and getting a seat on a crowded bus or subway.
But there is also another side of getting older, and that is one of loss: the loss of friends, loved ones, spouses, mobility, memories, hearing, eyesight, and subsequent independence.
“Getting old is not for sissies.”
― Bette Davis
Boy, was she right. While our Golden years can be rewarding, they can also be beyond challenging if we're honest. While it’s expected to feel sad about the amount of loss we experience in old age, some seniors experience a real sense of despair and hopelessness that turns into chronic depression.
It’s important to distinguish between sadness and depression. Sadness is a normal part of life. We must give ourselves space to grieve over the loss of loved ones.
But it’s equally important to recognize the symptoms of depression so you or your senior loved one can seek the help they need. Here are some things to watch out for:
- Sudden sleep issues – either an inability to fall or stay asleep.
- Lack of appetite
- Social isolation
- Irritable mood
- Feelings of hopelessness
Experiencing one of these at a time is not a real issue for most people. The problems arise when two or more items on this list are experienced and persist for several weeks and even months.
How to Get Out of Darkness and Back into Light
There are some things seniors can do (and their loved ones can encourage them to do) that will help them deal with their depression.
Stay Active
Exercise is not only important to keep your body strong and prevent falls, but it’s also important to stabilize mood. As you may know when we exercise our bodies release feel-good endorphins. This can be a natural mood enhancer at any age. Tai chi is a fantastic exercise for seniors because it is incredibly gentle on the body.
Treat any Insomnia
Sometimes a lack of sleep can bring on depression. And as we age, we can develop sleep disturbances because of hormonal shifts and chronic pain. Also, here’s a bit of information from David N. Neubauer, M.D., author of Understanding Sleeplessness: Perspectives on Insomnia:
"As we age, we typically spend less time in the deepest levels of non-REM sleep (Stage 3 and Stage 4) and more time in the lighter levels. Consequently, older people often suffer from fragmented sleep, waking up more often during the night and early in the morning. In response to these changing sleep patterns, many [older] people develop poor sleep habits that compound the problem."
It’s essential to go to bed at the same time every night, wake up at the same time in the morning, and limit your caffeine intake.
Seek Help from a Trained Therapist
Suppose these tips don’t alleviate the symptoms of depression. In that case, it really is important to get some help from a therapist who will help you recognize the patterns of depression, offer coping strategies, and even recommend a visit with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to inquire if medication is required.
If you or a loved one would like to explore treatment options, please contact us at Core3. We’d be happy to discuss how we can help.
References: