Depression in
Older Adults

According to research complied by Mental Health America:

More than 2 million older adults (65 years and older) are affected by depression.

Less than 3% of depressed older adults receive treatment from a mental health professional

Treatment for depression is 80% effective.

Older adults account for 13% of the population but account for 20% of all suicides.

Depressed older adults have roughly 50% more health care costs than non-depressed.

68% of older adults know little or almost nothing about depression.

Only 38% believe that depression is a "health" problem.

58% of older adults believe it is "normal" for people to get depressed as they age

Untreated depression can lead to increased risk for other serious medical conditions.

Older Adult Depression:
What you need to know

Contributed by:

Stephanie Parsons
Senior Impact Program Outreach Worker/Case Manager

Depression: What is it?
Depression is a medical illness that strikes more than two million older adults every year, affecting mood, thoughts, activity, and physical health. The exact cause of depression is still being researched, but psychological, environmental, genetic, and biological causes seem to factor into the likelihood an individual will develop depressive symptoms. 

Factors that may be prevalent in the life of an older adult and that can increase the chance of experiencing depressive symptoms include death of a loved one, loss of independence, move from family home, poor physical health, and/or other stressful life changes.

Symptoms of Depression
Individuals experience different symptoms of depression with different degrees of severity. Symptoms can cause both emotional and physical distress. The most common symptoms of depression are:

• Sad or empty feelings   
• Loss of interest in pleasant activities
• Poor concentration   
  
• Poor energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt   
  
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Appetite/weight change   
  
• Anxiety or worrying more than usual
• Unexplained physical pain   
  
• Difficulty thinking, remembering, or making decisions
• Feelings of loneliness   
  
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
  

Misconceptions of Depression & Aging
Depression is not a normal part of aging. However, older adults do have additional conditions (physical health, more life stressors, and losses) that may increase the chance of depression. Even so,  depression in older adults is treatable.

Treatment for Depression
There are a number of different treatments for depression. Medication (commonly an antidepressant) is believed to balance the chemicals in the brain that are thought to be one of the causes of depression. There are a variety of therapies that aid in the reduction of depression symptoms. Each of these two options alone show improvements, but research shows that the combination of medication and therapy is the best treatment for decreasing depressive symptoms.  

The IMPACT approach
One model of depression treatment, known as the IMPACT model, provides evidence-based care to patients suffering from depression. The initial IMPACT study involved 1,801 depressed older adults from 18 clinics across the United States and was shown to be twice as effective as standard mental health care for older adults.

Key components of the IMPACT model include:

• Collaborative care: Primary care physician, care manager and psychiatrist work together.
  
• Depression care manager: Educates the patient about depression, coaches the patient in behavioral responses, provides limited counseling, completes a relapse prevention plan.
  
• Designated psychiatrist: Consults on patients who do not respond as anticipated.
  
• Outcome measurement: Measuring patient's depressive symptoms before, during and after treatment.
  
• Stepped care: Treatment adjusted as patient responds to treatment; aim for 50% reduction in symptoms in 10-12 weeks.