Facts About Geriatric Depression
Approximately 6 million American adults who are 65 or older struggle with depression. This mental illness may hit them in their later years. However, only about 10 percent of this demographic gets treatment. Geriatric depression is more than sadness. It’s not just a low mood. Depression affects your physical, mental and emotional health. For seniors, it affects their behavior, the way that they view themselves and the manner in which they relate to others as well as their environment. Depression is actually a severe mood disorder. It influences how you think, how you feel, how you manage your daily life and your relationships. It can make you lose motivation, your appetite and your previously enjoyed activities and interests.
Recognizing Signs of Depression in Elderly Adults
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 7% of adults aged 65 and older experience major depressive disorder¹, yet signs of depression in elderly adults often go unrecognized. Unlike younger adults, seniors may present with physical complaints rather than emotional symptoms.
Key Warning Signs of Depression in Seniors:
Physical Manifestations:
- Persistent fatigue unrelated to physical exertion
- Unexplained aches, pains, or digestive issues
- Significant sleep pattern changes (insomnia or excessive sleeping)
- Appetite loss leading to unintentional weight changes
Behavioral and Emotional Changes:
- Loss of interest in hobbies, social activities, or family gatherings
- Increased irritability or mood swings
- Withdrawal from friends and family members
- Difficulty concentrating or making routine decisions
Advanced Warning Signs:
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Neglecting personal hygiene or household responsibilities
- Confusion beyond normal age-related memory changes
Client Success Story:
“My 78-year-old mother had been complaining of constant headaches and stomach problems for months. After multiple doctor visits found nothing wrong, her primary care physician referred her to Blue Moon Senior Counseling. Within six weeks of starting geriatric depression treatment through telehealth sessions, her physical complaints improved dramatically, and she was laughing and engaging with family again.” – Sarah K., daughter of client
How Depression Differs in Older Adults
Research from the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry shows that elderly depression often presents as “masked depression”², where physical symptoms overshadow emotional ones. Seniors may focus on health worries, pain complaints, or sleep issues rather than reporting sadness directly.
Professional Geriatric Depression Treatment
At Blue Moon Senior Counseling, our licensed clinical social workers specialize in evidence-based treatments for elderly depression, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy adapted for seniors and Interpersonal Therapy addressing relationship and loss issues common in later life.
Medicare Part B covers our individual teletherapy sessions, allowing seniors to receive professional care from home. Learn more about our comprehensive senior counseling services and how we coordinate with your healthcare team.
While depression in the elderly may not always have a recognizable cause that we can pinpoint, it could be triggered by factors such as:
• Changes in physical health
• Medical problems
• Personal loss (loss of independence/home/driver’s license, death of loved ones, loss of ability to ambulate)
• Changing relationships with loved ones
• Retirement
• Loss of income and/or financial insecurity
• Side effects from medications
• Genetic history
• A personal history of depression
• Brain chemistry
• Stress
An older adult and depression do not have to be linked. In other words, you don’t have to accept the fact that you have geriatric depression. Many older adults report that they’re satisfied with their lives even after they have experienced serious changes or physical problems. Retiring from your job or moving to an Assisted Living Facility can be hard to handle at first. Altering your life with such a major move can bring on strong emotions. Most people go through a period of adjustment. After that, they recover their emotional balance. But depression can linger for many elderly adults. In fact, the symptoms of depression can last longer in seniors than in younger adults.
Symptoms of Depression in the Elderly
Depression in older adults can look different than it does in a younger person. Because many elderly people are dealing with physical illnesses, detecting depression can be challenging.
For example, sadness may not be the primary symptom for an older adult and depression. They may have symptoms that mimic those of physical ailments, such as:
• Insomnia
• Fatigue and sleeping too much
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Attention problems
Depression in the Elderly Increases the Risk of Physical Illnesses
Depression in the elderly is linked to an increased risk of heart problems. But they’re not sure whether depressed individuals behave in a way that increases the risk of heart disease. For example, someone who drinks alcohol to manage their depression may be putting undue strain on their heart. In certain people, learning that they have a serious illness or undergoing heart surgery can lead to depression. Depression and heart disease have a two-way relationship. Depression can make the prognosis of cardiac disease worse. People who are diagnosed with heart problems have an increased risk of developing the mental illness.
Vascular depression is a type of depression in older adults that’s caused by circulation problems. Restricted blood flow can damage the blood vessels and limit the amount of blood that the body carries to the brain. This is often the cause of the psychological condition when individuals have no personal or family history of depression. Elderly adults with vascular depression are more likely than others to develop stroke, heart disease and other cardiac illnesses.
Depression can also co-occur with other diseases, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and cancer. The depression can make it harder for people to recover from the physical ailment. The illness can also make the depression worse.
Treating an Older Adult and Depression
Because depression looks different in older adults than in younger people, treating it can be more complicated. It’s essential to help these individuals manage any physical conditions and co-occurring mental illnesses while addressing the psychological condition.
At Blue Moon Senior Counseling, we understand that you or a loved one may be going through something extremely intense and devastating. Our Medicare-approved therapists deliver treatment via telehealth. Our team is specially trained to provide therapy to elderly adults who are struggling with depression or other mental illnesses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Depression
What are the most common signs of clinical depression in seniors? The most recognizable signs include persistent sadness lasting more than two weeks, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, significant energy changes, and physical complaints without clear medical causes. Our caregiver burnout page discusses how family members can also be affected by these changes.
How long does geriatric depression treatment typically take? Most seniors see improvement within 6-12 weeks of consistent therapy. Medicare Part B covers ongoing treatment as medically necessary, and our telehealth services make regular sessions convenient and accessible.
Can depression in elderly be treated successfully? Absolutely. Studies show that seniors respond very well to therapy, often with better long-term outcomes than medication alone³. Our specialized approach addresses unique factors affecting older adults, including medical conditions, loss and grief, and social isolation.
Citations: ¹ National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Depression in Older Adults. ² American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. (2022). Masked Depression in Elderly Populations. ³ Journal of Clinical Psychology. (2023). Therapeutic Outcomes in Geriatric Depression Treatment.
Medicare Coverage for Senior Depression Treatment
Depression treatment is fully covered under Medicare Part B, with most seniors paying just 20% coinsurance after their deductible. Our licensed clinical social workers specialize in geriatric depression and accept Medicare nationwide.
Medicare covers all medically necessary depression therapy sessions, including:
- Individual psychotherapy for late-life depression
- Telehealth depression counseling from home
- Treatment for depression related to chronic illness
- Grief counseling for depression after loss
Many seniors don’t realize that Medicare Part B covers unlimited therapy sessions when medically necessary. Don’t let insurance concerns prevent you from getting help for depression – we’ll verify your benefits at no cost.
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