Depression in Seniors: Basics and Resources in Los Angeles CA

Michelle Rojas MS MBA

Orange Grove Home Care

What is Depression?

Although common,depressionis not a normal part of aging.  Technically, depression is the term used to describe pessimism and feelings of sadness that last for weeks or months at a time, and that interfere with one’s ability to cope with day-to-day situations.  These feelings of negativity can be traced back to an imbalance in brain chemicals.  Correcting this imbalance is part of the treatment for depression.  If left untreated, depression can last for years, can deteriorate, and can also contribute to decay in other health aspects.

How Does Depression Manifest in Seniors?

Older people experience many instances of loss in a rather short period of time.  As we age, we ‘lose’ our jobs and transition into retirement, we lose some physical and mental abilities, we lose our independence, and we lose our loved ones.  Many people are able to cope with these changes well, but some of us are not.

In addition, some medications can lead to depression as a side effect.  It is always a good idea to ask your doctor about this before you choose to start taking a particular medication.  Having knowledge in advance empowers you to make other healthy choices to maintain and improve your overall health.

Depression can also lead to changes in appetite and sleep, an inability to focus or to enjoy positive news and events, bodily aches and pains, self-neglect, increase in alcohol consumption and suicidal thoughts.

Road to Recovery

Contrary to popular belief, depression is a disease that can be treated successfully with the help of a mental health professional.  One of the first steps should be to meet with your primary care physician to review the complete list of medications you are currently taking.  Explain your symptoms and external factors that could be contributing to the depression in detail.  Only if you share candidly, will your doctor be able to help you.

The next step should be to seek out specialized help from a social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist and/or geriatrician.  These professionals are specifically trained to help with mental diseases, like depression.  If you are not sure which professional to go to, get suggestions from your primary doctor.  You can also go to the American Geriatrics Society website ( ) for a referral to professionals in your area.

How Can I Help My Loved One?

If you are caring for a loved one with depression, your first job is to take care of yourself.  Caregiving can be so emotionally taxing, that caregivers can often become depressed.  So make a priority of taking care of your needs so you do not experience burn out and can take care of your loved one in the long term.

In order to help your loved one recover from depression, acknowledge there is a problem and discuss it with them early on.  Ignoring depression can lead to symptoms getting worse, making recovery much harder.  Encourage your loved one to seek professional help and arrange an appointment if they are willing to attend, but unable to take care of this task by themselves.

You can also help by re-engaging your loved one in activities they used to enjoy.  Socialization can be very tiring when someone is depressed, so try to schedule short visits, with few other people at any given time.

Encourage rest and healthy eating habits and remove distractions that interfere with those goals.

Resources Available Specifically in theLos Angelesarea

The company of a pet can help people suffering from depression in their recovery.  The City of Los Angeles has implemented a program, Seniors for Seniors, that matches senior pets (age 7 +) from Los Angeles Animal Care Centers with senior adults (age 62 +).  Pet adoption fees through this program are discounted.  For more information, contact the Department of Animal Services at 213-482-9550.

The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (213-485-7512) offers a wealth of activities tailored for seniors at the many senior centers around town.  In addition, many other cities offer similar programs.  Contact your local office for more information about events in your neighborhood.

Where to Get More Help

The following organizations have a wealth of information about depression in seniors, ways to avoid it and treat it.

American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health In Aging

Psychology Information Online

Family Caregiver Alliance

Depression is not normal at any age.  Depression is a disease, just like the flu, arthritis and high blood pressure.  If you suspect depression in yourself or a loved one, talk with your doctor right away, so that you can be diagnosed properly and receive adequate treatment before symptoms progress.