Is It Depression or Dementia? Understanding Depression In The Elderly.

As we care for our aging parents, we may wonder if they are depressed.  What are the signs of depression in the elderly?  Wouldn’t the doctor recognize if the patient were depressed?  How do you help and treat a senior adult with depression?  The following information will provide the basics for identifying depression in the elderly, and most importantly, the tools and ‘how to’s’, to help the elderly parent.

The National Institute of Health reports that there are 2 million seniors over the age of 65 who suffer from full blown depression and another 5 million seniors who suffer from a lesser form of depression.

Depression is common but most people do not get the help they need and this is especially true with the elderly.  Doctors usually focus on the physical issues and do not the mental issues. 

Senior adults are less likely than the general population to mention that they are depressed or are feeling down to their doctor or family.

This book is for you, your loved ones, the elderly and the medical community.  Just because a person is older or may have medical conditions, there is no reason why we all should not be prepared and armed with the knowledge and skills to intercede, advocate and help…it is the right thing to do, every life has meaning and one day…we’ll be the elders.

Contents

Forward

Definition of Depression

Possible Symptoms and Signs of Depression

What you need to know

When it is not depression

Medications that can cause depression

Depression or Dementia

Risk Factors

Possible Causes of Depression

What do you do?

Diagnostic Tools

Treatment:

        Self-help & non profession options

        Traditional medicine

        Natural medicine

Summary

About the Author

Resources