Monitor Your Elderly Loved Ones For Depression

Online, August 23, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Depression affects the elderly much differently than it affects younger adults and teenagers. For older individuals depression tends to occur in tandem with other medical illnesses or disabilities and lasts much longer. Depression is extremely harmful and doubles an elderly persons risk for cardiac disease and increases the chance of death from illness. Depression also hinders the elderly persons ability to rehabilitate from surgery or injury properly. Depression has also been closely linked with increased death following the even of a heart attack. Health care providers strongly urge that your elderly loved ones be carefully evaluated and treated should signs of depression appear. Even mild depression can greatly hinder your loved ones health.

Suicide is always a pressing matter when dealing with depression in your elderly loved ones. The suicide rate in individuals between the ages of 80 and 84 is over twice that of the general population. The National Institute of Mental Health deems depression in those over the age of 65 to be a major public health issue. You will often find that advancing age is accompanied by losses of social and emotional support systems through the death of close friends, family, and loved ones. It is strongly advised that the loved ones of the elderly pay close attention to their family members and monitor the changes in their circumstances.

There are many factors that can increase the risk of depression in the elderly. They include being female, being single, divorced, or widowed, stressful life events, and a lack of a steady supportive social circle. Certain medical afflictions like stroke, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, dementia, or chronic pain can also further the increased risk of depression.

It's always important to monitor the emotional health of your elderly loved ones. Consulting an assisted living facility can play an integral role in making sure that your loved ones receive the amount of care they need and that their social needs are being met in the best way possible. Discover Assisted Living at h http://www.discoverassistedliving.com/ is a great online service to help you take the first steps in locating the best assisted living facility for you and your loved ones.