1. From Blue to You Depression and Older Adults

2. Vignette Meet Frank

3. What is going on with Frank? He has lost interest in his hobbies, friends, and family.He has lost interest in his hobbies, friends, and family. His movement and speech have slowed.His movement and speech have slowed. Frank has a lack of interest in his personal care and health.Frank has a lack of interest in his personal care and health.

4. What is depression? A mental disorder or illnessA mental disorder or illness Involves the body, mood, and thoughtsInvolves the body, mood, and thoughts

5. Is it depression or is it grief? Grief is common in older adults due to frequent losses (spouses, friends)Grief is common in older adults due to frequent losses (spouses, friends) Grief may look like depressionGrief may look like depression Grief resolves over time; depression persistsGrief resolves over time; depression persists

6. How common is depression in older adults? Frank is not aloneFrank is not alone Depression affects about 15 of people over the age of 65Depression affects about 15 percent of people over the age of 65

7. What are the symptoms? Physical symptoms Emotional symptoms Psychosocial symptoms

8. Stigma Is very strong among older adults Prevents older adults from seeking treatment Contributes to the belief that there is no hope for help

9. There is treatment available for FrankThere is treatment available for Frank Talk therapy Medication therapy Combination: talk and medication therapy Treatment

10. Address mental, social, and environmental roots of depressionAddress mental, social, and environmental roots of depression Cognitive Behavioral TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy Involve familyInvolve family Talk therapy

11. Medication therapy SSRIsSSRIs Side effects do occurSide effects do occur Talk to doctor about the right choiceTalk to doctor about the right choice

12. Combination therapy Talk therapy plus medicationTalk therapy plus medication Consistently shown to be most effectiveConsistently shown to be most effective

13. Where to go for help Health care professionalHealth care professional Social servicesSocial services OnlineOnline

14. Online Resources Support groups http://forums.psychcentral.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board= depression http://forums.psychcentral.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board= depression Chat rooms http://www.depressionhaven.org Blogs http://ronnibennett.typepad.com/elderstorytelling/about.ht ml http://ronnibennett.typepad.com/elderstorytelling/about.ht mlWebsites http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_elderly.htm

15. If you were Frank’s family member, how could you help? Get helpGet help Encourage him to stick with treatmentEncourage him to stick with treatment Offer emotional supportOffer emotional support Invite him to do thingsInvite him to do things Plan and prepare healthy mealsPlan and prepare healthy meals Do not expect a “quick fix”Do not expect a “quick fix”

16. What to do if you think you have depression Get helpGet help Get informedGet informed Avoid alcohol and drugsAvoid alcohol and drugs Don’t get upset if you can’t sleepDon’t get upset if you can’t sleep Get out in to the worldGet out in to the world Connect to othersConnect to others

17. What to do if you think you have depression Participate in activities you enjoyParticipate in activities you enjoy Volunteer your timeVolunteer your time Take care of a petTake care of a pet Learn a new skillLearn a new skill Enjoy jokes and storiesEnjoy jokes and stories Maintain a healthy dietMaintain a healthy diet ExerciseExercise

18. References AARP (2008). Dispelling myths about depression. Retrieved from www.aarp.orgwww.aarp.org Ballas, C. (2005). Depression in the elderly: The basics. Retrieved from www.mydepressionconnection.comwww.mydepressionconnection.com Beyond Blue (2008). Depression in older people fact sheet. Retrieved from www.beyondblue.orgwww.beyondblue.org Duckworth, K. (2006). About mental illness: Depression. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&Cont entID=23039&lstid=326 http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&Cont entID=23039&lstid=326 Healthy Place (2006). Elderly depression ignored. Retrieved from http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/elderly_5.asp http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/elderly_5.asp Healthy Place (2006). Depression in Elderly. Retrieved from http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/elderly.asp http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/elderly.asp Jeste, D. V. (2003). Depression in older persons. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=17 624 http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=17 624 Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175 Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Alzheimer's or depression: Could it be both? Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/HQ00212 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers/HQ00212 Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression: Supporting loved ones through their battle with depression. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00016 NIMH (2008). Depression in Elderly Men http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/depression-in- elderly-men.shtmlhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/depression-in- elderly-men.shtml Nutrition Health Center (2008). Depression Statistics Information. Retrieved from http://www.add-adhd-help- center.com/Depression/statistics.htmhttp://www.add-adhd-help- center.com/Depression/statistics.htm Segal, J., Jaffe, J., Davies, P. & Smith, M. (2007). Depression in older adults and the elderly: Recognizing the signs and getting help. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_elderly.htm#signshttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_elderly.htm#signs

19. Copyright © 2010 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Leigh Ann Simmons; MFT, PhD former Assistant Professor Department of Family Studies Ester Edwards, BS Graduate student Department of Family Studies Leslie Crofford, MD Professor, College of Medicine April 2010 Health Education through Extension Leadership The development of the HEEL program was made possible by Senator Mitch McConnell with funds earmarked for the University of Kentucky, College o f Agriculture, Lexington Ky. and budgeted through the CSREES/USDA Federal Administration. For More Information… www.bluetoyou.org