North Central Indiana Continuity of Care (NCICC)

Every individual in need should have a support network

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Philosophy: Everyone should have access to an educational and supportive network of professionals in their journey through the health care system.

NCICC exists to provide resources and educational programs to enhance the continuum of care. It provides a medium for sharing professional challenges, resources and feasible solutions in the health care environments. It serves to heighten competence and expertise in the delivery of continuity of care by providing professional assistance and informative programs.

 

Elderly Depression

 

Definition

An emotional state marked by sadness, discouragement, and loss of self-worth that occurs in the elderly.

 

Causes, incidences, and risk factors

Detecting depression in the elderly may be complicated by several factors.  Often the symptoms of depression such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and sleeping difficulties are associated with the aging process or a medical condition rather than with depression.  Contributing factors include the loss of a spouse or close friends, chronic pain and illness, difficulty with mobility, frustration with memory loss, difficulty adapting to changing circumstances such as moving from a home to a retirement facility, or changes within the family.  Depression can also be a sign of a medical problem.  It may be complicated by brain disorders associated with the aging process such as Alzheimer’s disease or organic brain syndrome.  Risk factors are related to contributing factors.  Depression in the elderly is a widespread problem.

 

Prevention

Prevention is related to the contributing factors.  Social supports that help deal with losses, mobility changes, and so on can be helpful.  In many cases, there is no effective prevention.

 

Symptoms

  • Depressed or irritable mood
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
  • Temper, agitation
  • Change in appetite, usually a loss of appetite
  • Change in weight
    • weight loss (unintentional)
    • weight gain (unintentional)
  • Difficulty sleeping
    • daytime sleepiness
    • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia)
  • Fatigue (tiredness or weariness)
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feelings of worthlessness or sadness
  • Memory loss
  • Abnormal thoughts, excessive or inappropriate guilt
  • Abnormal thoughts about death
  • Excessively irresponsible behavior pattern
  • Thoughts about suicide
  • Plans to commit suicide or actual suicide attempts

Note:  Symptoms often last for weeks to months.

 

Signs and tests

  • Physical examination to rule out medical causes of depression
  • Psychological evaluation
  • A variety of tests may be indicated