HJNO Jan/Feb 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  JAN / FEB 2021 45 Carrie A. Mercer Senior Director of Marketing Lambeth House How do we experience grief and depres- sion differently? To put it simply, grief often rides like a wave:Agrieving person can usu- ally find moments of happiness inside the darkness. Depression, however, often feels like being buried in a dark hole where no light comes through for extended periods of time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depression in the elderly affects about 7millionAmericans age 65 and older. White men over 85 years old have the highest suicide rate in the nation. It’s important for depression to be properly diagnosed so that treatment can begin as soon as possible, but it all too often goes undiagnosed. SIGNS OF DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY (Symptoms Present for at Least TwoWeeks) • Fantasizing or speaking of suicide, known as suicidal ideation • Frequent anxiety and irritability • Constant feelings of emptiness • Feeling hopeless or helpless • Concentration or memory problems • Social withdrawal • Vague complaints of physical pain • Significant shifts in: sleephabits, mood, energy, food consumption, interaction with hobbies that previously brought joy SIGNS OF GRIEF IN THE ELDERLY • Recent or upcoming loss • Sadness about changes/loss • Moments of pleasure and happiness amid the grief DECREASE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION IN SENIORS Increasing physical activity can help pro- ducemore of those “happy”chemicals in our brains. Many forms of exercise have been proven to help with both the physical and emotional aspects of depression, according to a recent study from the Duke University Medical Center. The NewYorkTimes outlines the findings that even a few tai chi classes can help decrease the symptoms of depres- sion in the elderly. If physical limitations prohibit standing or walking for exercise, there are alternatives that allow for muscle movement and healthy aging while remain- ing seated. Making sure to include all aspects of an individual’s support system, especially face-to-face contact with friends and family, can help decrease symptoms and effectively treat depression. With the increase in the use of technology to connect with others comes the opportunity to widen the support network for individuals who live far away from their support network. Bridging the gap between generations can also be beneficial to people experiencing depression. Helping your patients find balance in areas that feel overwhelming can also help lessen their depression. This may include increasing support, bringing in additional help or encouraging them to participate in psychotherapy. With or without antidepres- sants, psychotherapy can help a person pro- cess the feelings of depression, create struc- ture and allow for a safe space to discuss the difficult aspects of depression. Having a balanced diet and getting enough restful sleep are also essential in treating both the physical and emotional aspects of depres- sion. Additionally, seniors can experience many benefits from becoming involved in activities. These create an opportunity for seniors to meet new people, participate in an engaging activity and potentially find oth- er people whomay be experiencing similar struggles. If an elderly individual isn’t clinically de- pressed and is instead grieving the loss of one or several things in their life, it’s im- perative to allow space for the grieving process. Growing older means being faced with many changes, and as we grow older these changes are often losses. These losses are unbelievably hard to cope with, espe- cially when more than one is experienced at a time. Many people overlook that losses other than death can bring a grieving pro- cess very similar to that of losing a loved one. Grief has been described as a process of letting go of something we are attached to. This means we could experience grief at any time for many reasons and suggests that grief should be treated equally, regardless of the precipitating event. WAYS TO SUPPORT THE GRIEF PROCESS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS Referring your patient to a therapist or grief counselor can help give him a space to process his grief. In addition, getting the senior’s loved ones involved can help ease the stress of everyday life while he is griev- ing. Here are just a few of the ways you can encourage families or neighbors to help: • Creating space for acknowledging that a loss has occurred; • Helping with daily living tasks (meals, laundry, etc.); • Suggesting activities that the individual typically enjoys. Knowing the difference between grief and depression in seniors is essential when creating a treatment plan that can improve their lives. Although there are many simi- lar aspects of grief and depression, they are not the same and should not be treated as if they are.Allowing someone to appropriately grieve their losses is an important part of healing. Being able to recognize the often- subtle differences between symptoms of grief and depression will help you decide the best way to give your senior patients the best care possible. n