Depression in The Elderly

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans On July 18, 2016

Older people are at risk for depression, are underserved by the mental health profession, and have the highest rates of suicide in the country. But many seniors are resistant to treatment because they don’t want to burden their families, or equate depression with weakness or even death.

“One of the hardest questions I get from families is, ‘How can I get my elderly loved one mental health help when they don’t want it?’ “

“The elderly are less likely to cope with loss as well as young people because of the added years of meaning behind it,” many loss’s have occurred in a lifetime and some may have not been processed. So many persons suffer one loss after the other and after multiple loss’s as we age it gets harder to process or is not talked about at all. Ask your elderly parent what they feel about the loss. It’s really important to hear them out and honor their emotions. Avoid judgements or telling them how you think they should feel. No two people are alike and we all have different coping skills.

Identifying and effectively treating older patients who suffer from depression continues to be a challenge. Primary Care Physicians tend to screen for and treat depression, and although well-intentioned, treatment in a primary care setting does not always yield the best outcome for older patients. For example, a patient may start an anti-depressant, develop side effects and just stop taking it, or not know that when they feel better they are supposed to stay on their medication.

Unfortunately, all too many depressed seniors fail to recognize the symptoms of depression, or don’t take the steps to get the help they need. There are many reasons depression in older adults and the elderly is so often overlooked:

You may assume you have good reason to be down or that depression is just part of aging.
You may be isolated—which in itself can lead to depression—with few around to notice your distress.
You may not realize that your physical complaints are signs of depression.
You may be reluctant to talk about your feelings or ask for help.

Depression isn’t a sign of weakness or a character flaw. It can happen to anyone, at any age, no matter your background or your previous accomplishments in life. Know the signs and symptoms and reach out to your local mental health professionals for help for your loved one.

For more information and how to help contact Care Pathways

13 Feb 2016

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans Posted in Vision loss Permalink

Macular Degeneration Support

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans On February 13, 2016

Information and Support

This web site offers free information and personal assistance for people dealing with macular degeneration and similar retinal diseases. If you are new to macular degeneration, you may want to start by reading What Is Macular Degeneration? and following the links to further information.

Visual loss can occur at any age, however while you may have the support of your doctor many questions go unanswered. This site offers valuable information and tools to help support you both in finding resources and to connect with others who are also going through loss of vision. It has been a lifeline for many. I encourage you to visit and you can also ask questions that you or a loved one may have. http://www.mdsupport.org/

28 Oct 2015

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans Posted in Seniors and Holidays Permalink

Seniors and Holidays

Sticky Post By Mary Kay Evans On October 28, 2015

Care Pathways

When the cooler weather arrives our thoughts turn to the holidays, family and spending time with those we love. I have found so many fond memories myself of times gone by and gatherings with friends, family and the people we love. But there is also another side to this time of year for many. Being alone, depression and anxiety that is brought on by living in isolation. You see many seniors today have little or no family to spend this time with, or have suffered the loss of a spouse or health concerns that the Holidays can be a reminder of all that is past. When seniors who live alone or have begun to isolate the toll can be great.

So what can be done in our community to help seniors that live on their own and have little or no family present to visit with? We have a program that fills the needs of seniors at the Holiday time where we visit, bake cookies, pies, bring special care packages and just set and spend some time with seniors that live alone, we plant seeds of care and compassion and follow up with other community resources that a senior may need. There is much work to be done this year. We are at present making our lists of seniors who are in need. If you would like more information on our Paths to Care program please contact us. We are here to help and here to listen.