Signs Of Depression Checklist

Depression in the elderly is a widespread problem, but is not often recognized or treated, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A number of life changes can increase the risk for depression, or make existing depression worse. Caring for a spouse or family member also can add to those feelings of depression. According to the NIH, some of the other changes and life events are:

• Adapting to a move from home to an apartment or retirement facility
• Chronic pain
• Feelings of isolation or loneliness as children move away and their spouse and close friends die
• Loss of independence (problems getting around, caring for themselves, or driving)
• Multiple illnesses
• Struggles with memory loss and problems thinking clearly

Look for the signs that an older loved one may be depressed and need help:

• Being more confused or forgetful.
• Eating less. The refrigerator may be empty or contain spoiled food.
• Not bathing or shaving as often. Visitors may notice smells of urine or stool. Clothes may be dirty and wrinkled.
• Not taking care of the home.
• Stopping medicines or not taking them correctly.
• Withdrawing from others. Not talking as much, and not answering the phone or returning phone calls.

The support of a CAREGiver^SM from Home Instead Senior Care® can go a long way toward helping an older loved one who is depressed or suffering the strain of caring for a sick spouse or other family member.

For more information about depression, go to:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001521.htm

Don't forget to sign up for "Home for the Holidays" FREE Web Conference will Help Family Caregivers

Home for the Holidays FREE Web Conference will Help Family Caregivers 

Going home for the holidays often leaves family members shocked at the declining health or independence of a loved one. Warning signs can help make decisions that will keep your senior safe long after you've returned home.

To learn more about these signs, register for theFREE Home for the Holidays web conference.

The web conference will help you recognize thewarning signs that indicate your senior loved one might need additional help for things such as loss of appetite, unwanted weight fluctuations, spoiled food in the fridge or clutter. Whether you're a long-distance caregiver or just live down the street, the holidays are a good time to assess the situation with Mom and Dad, and help them come up with a solution if necessary.

The web conference will be:

• Moderated by a Home Instead Senior Care® representative
• Hosted by the American Society on Aging (ASA)
• Co-sponsored by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC).

The hour-long web conference will be offered on Monday, Dec. 5th—8 p.m.Eastern Time.

Get more information and pre-register for the December 5th web conference.

10 Signs that a Senior Might Need More Help at Home

1. A change in appearance or condition of the home
2. Clutter
3. Dirty or unkempt clothing
4. Unpaid bills
5. Fresh food replaced with junk food
6. Spoiled food in the fridge or freezer
7. Bugs or rodents in the home
8. Confusion
9. Unfilled prescriptions
10. Spills on floors and countertops

Loneliness is a 'Hidden Killer'

Loneliness is a 'hidden killer' that poses as great a health risk as obesity, say campaigners

Loneliness is the ‘hidden killer’ of the elderly which threatens health as much as obesity or smoking, campaigners warned yesterday.

A group of charities says the emotional cost may be known, but the physical damage has been neglected.

Almost one in ten elderly people suffers ‘intense’ loneliness, leading to increased risk of depression, lack of exercise and poor eating habits.

Loneliness has been linked to cognitive disorders such as dementia

Greater recognition is needed among health professionals of the links between poor health and loneliness, it is claimed.

The Campaign to End Loneliness is being organised by Age UK Oxfordshire, Counsel And Care, Independent Age and WRVS and funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

In a report, they call for better awareness of the ‘horror’ of loneliness and its ‘pernicious impact’ on older people.

According to a poll of 2,200, fewer than one in five has ever seen or heard information about loneliness as a health risk.

 

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Andrew Barnett, of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, said: ‘We need to consider the practical ... emotional and psychological implications of growing numbers of older people.’

The World Health Organisation has rated loneliness as a higher risk to health than smoking and as great a risk as obesity.

Researchers also say lack of social interaction increases the chances of suffering degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Loneliness is increasing, partly due to greater numbers living on their own as they live longer and families disperse. More than half of those over the age of 75 live alone and about one in ten suffers ‘intense’ loneliness.

For more information visit www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1352479/Loneliness-hidden-killer-poses-great-health-risk-obesity.html#ixzz1TG4pGYDs

Older Women with Diabetes and Depression Have Twice the Risk of Death

Both problems linked to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle

Jan. 3, 2011 – Older women suffering with diabetes and depression have a significantly increased risk of death from heart disease, as well as an increased death risk from all causes, over a six-year period, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of theJAMA/Archives journals.

Depression affects almost 15 million U.S. adults each year and more than 23.5 million U.S. adults have diabetes, according to the report. About 20 to 25 percent of patients with diabetes also have depression – nearly twice as many as those without diabetes. Diabetes and its complications are leading causes of death around the world.

A study of 78,282 older women – aged 54 to 79 – was conducted in 2000 by An Pan, Ph.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, and her colleagues. The women were participants in the Nurses Health Study.

The women were classified as having depression if they reported being diagnosed with the condition, were treated with antidepressant medications or scored high on an index measuring depressive symptoms. Reports of type 2 diabetes were confirmed using a supplementary questionnaire.

During six years of follow-up, 4,654 of the women died, including 979 who died from cardiovascular disease.

Compared with women who did not have either condition, the results were:
   ● those with depression had a 44 percent increased risk of death,
   ● those with diabetes had a 35 percent increased risk of death and
   ● those with both conditions had approximately twice the risk of death.

When considering only deaths from cardiovascular disease,
   ● women with diabetes had a 67 percent increased risk,
   ● women with depression had a 37 percent increased risk and
   ● women with both had a 2.7-fold increased risk.

"The underlying mechanisms of the increased mortality risk associated with depression in patients with diabetes remains to be elucidated," the authors write.

"It is generally suggested that depression is associated with poor glycemic control, an increased risk of diabetes complications, poor adherence to diabetes management by patients and isolation from the social network."

In addition, diabetes and depression are both linked to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, and depression could trigger changes in the nervous system that adversely affect the heart.

"Considering the size of the population that could be affected by these two prevalent disorders, further consideration is required to design strategies aimed to provide adequate psychological management and support among those with longstanding chronic conditions, such as diabetes," the authors conclude.

This study was supported by a National Institutes of Health grant.

Read below to learn more about Diabetes, Depression and Depression in the Elderly

About Diabetes (MedlinePlus NIH)

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to give them energy. With Type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood.

Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause serious problems. It can damage your eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes can also cause heart disease, stroke and even the need to remove a limb. Pregnant women can also get diabetes, called gestational diabetes.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes may include fatigue, thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and frequent urination. Some people have no symptoms. A blood test can show if you have diabetes. Exercise, weight control and sticking to your meal plan can help control your diabetes. You should also monitor your glucose level and take medicine if prescribed.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

>> More about diabetes at MedlinePlus

About Depression (MedlinePlus NIH)

Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It's more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life. Symptoms can include

   ● Sadness
   ● Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
   ● Change in weight
   ● Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
   ● Energy loss
   ● Feelings of worthlessness
   ● Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression can run in families, and usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. It is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorderin the winter. Depression is one part of bipolar disorder.

There are effective treatments for depression, including antidepressants and talk therapy. Most people do best by using both.

NIH: National Institute of Mental Health

c/o http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/2011/20110103-OlderWomenWithDiabetes.htm