1. Depression and Older Adults
From Blue to You
Depression and Older Adults

2. What is depression? A common mental disorder or illness
Involves the body, mood, and thoughts

3. How common is depression?
15 percent of those over age 65
As high as 25 percent of nursing home residents

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

5. Symptoms look different in older adults
Anxiety
Worries about being a burden
Memory problems
Slowed movement
Irritability
Lack of interest in personal care
Unexplained or aggravated aches and pains
Talk about death and dying

6. Stigma Listen to what these older adults say about depression
Focus on their thoughts and feelings about stigma

7. What do you hear about stigma?

8. Treatment Talk therapy Medication therapy
Combination: talk and medication therapy

9. What to do if you think you have depression
Get help
Get informed
Avoid alcohol and drugs
Connect to others
Participate in activities you enjoy
Maintain a healthy diet
Exercise
Don’t get upset if you can’t sleep

10. What do you do if an older family member has depression
Get help
Offer emotional support
Invite your loved one out
Plan and prepare healthy meals
Watch for suicide warning signs

11. References
AARP (2008). Dispelling myths about depression. Retrieved from
Ballas, C. (2005). Depression in the elderly: The basics. Retrieved from
Beyond Blue (2008). Depression in older people fact sheet. Retrieved from
Duckworth, K. (2006). About mental illness: Depression. Retrieved from
Healthy Place (2006). Elderly depression ignored. Retrieved from
Healthy Place (2006). Depression in Elderly. Retrieved from
Jeste, D. V. (2003). Depression in older persons. Retrieved from
Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression. Retrieved from
Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Alzheimer's or depression: Could it be both? Retrieved from
Mayo Clinic Staff (2008). Depression: Supporting loved ones through their battle with depression. Retrieved from
NIMH (2008). Depression in Elderly Men
Nutrition Health Center (2008). Depression Statistics Information. Retrieved from
Segal, J., Jaffe, J., Davies, P. & Smith, M. (2007). Depression in older adults and the elderly: Recognizing the signs and getting help. Retrieved from

12. For More Information… www.bluetoyou.org
Leigh Ann Simmons; MFT, PhD
former Assistant Professor
Department of Family Studies
Ester Edwards, BS
Graduate student
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.
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.