Depression in the Older People Aged 65 and Above In Care Homes (Essay Sample)

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Depression in the Older People Aged 65 and Above In Care Homes
Introduction
Depression is a common challenge among the old. It is prevalent in men and women aged above 65 years. Depression is difficult to diagnose for the old and requires systematic observation (Orrell et al. 942). Care Homes for the old face serious challenges in dealing with depression owing to the large population of older people, who undergo depression from time to time. This exploration, seeks quantitative and qualitative data regarding depression cases among older people in care homes. It pays special attention to the care homes in the United Kingdom. Quantitative data include statistics regarding depression in care homes, percentage of aging people suffering from the mental disorder, and statics regarding psychiatrists available to provide psychological therapy. Qualitative data include aspects such as types of depression, symptoms of depression, factors leading to depression, diagnosis processes applied, treatment processes involved and other types of care for the depressed.
Prevalence of Depression among the Old in Care Homes within the United Kingdom
Depression is a common mental illness among the aged. Therefore, 15% of people aged 65 and above experience the mental illness. Depression increases physical challenges among the old and increases mortality rate. A recent study carried out in care homes within the United Kingdom revealed the following, 54% of those studied revealed symptoms of depression. 72 % of those with depression were being managed with antidepressants and other psychiatric strategies while 28% of those remaining were receiving little or no effective treatment. Among those that were being managed 39.1% showed improvement while the remaining percentage still remained depressed. From the study it was clear that 89.4% of those in care homes had been properly diagnosed as either depressed or not depressed (Morrell et al. 200-276). Another study carried out in 2006 by the Royal College of Psychiatrists showed that approximately 28% of women and 22% of men above 65 years of age in the United Kingdom live with depression. The study further revealed that 40% of older people living in care homes are depressed.
Types of Depression experienced in Care Homes for the Old
There are three types of depressions experienced by the old in care homes. These are; major depression, minor depression and Dysthymia.
Major Depression. Major depression in older people living in home cares is associated with various symptoms which inhibit the ability of the patient to enjoy various activities, which include eating, interacting, and sleep. This type of depression is characterized by recurrences of symptoms such as weight loss, mood swing, loss of appetite, lack of interest in activities, loss of sleep, frequent thought of suicide, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Major depression is easy to disorganize due to the recurrent nature of various symptoms. If untreated, major depression can lead to suicide and other illnesses, including high blood pressure and ulcers. Major depression degrades a person’s quality of life by causing multiple problems.
Minor Depression. Minor depression also affects a person’s quality of life. This type of depression differs from major depression in that it occurs intermittently and may be easy to manage. However, due to its intermittent occurrence, it may be hard to diagnose and treat. This type of depression is characterized by many symptoms with the most common once being loss of appetite, mood swings, impaired sleep and lack of interest in activities. These symptoms may occur with a two week break and cannot persist beyond two years.
Dysthymia. This type of depression is less severe than major depression. However, it is characterized by long term chronic consequences which inhibit bodily functionalities in aging persons. Like major and minor depression, this type of depression also leads to degradation of the quality of life of an individual. Major symptoms of this type of depression include negative personality, feelings such as worthlessness and hopelessness. People with this form of depression are easy to recognize and are generally characterized as depressed persons. Symptoms of Dysthymia may persist for a period of about two years.
Causes of Depression among the Aged
There are various causes of depression among the old in the United Kingdom and beyond. These factors are discussed in this section.
Social Isolation. According to statistical data available from the United Kingdom, there are approximately 11.4 million people who are aged 65 years and above. Approximately 3.5 million, which translates to around 36% of those aged 65 and above live alone. 70% of those living alone are women. Further statistics reveal that the United Kingdom practices age discrimination and there is a tendency to isolate the aged from the society by taking them to care homes or other areas where they are isolated from the rest of the society. Consequently, these people feel isolated and tend to develop psychological disorders that lead to depression. There is medical evidence linking social isolation to depression. People living in care homes feel isolated from their families, culture and property, making it hard for them to adapt. This makes them demoralized and initiates a series of thoughts that leads to depression.
Physical Challenges. Old people living in care homes within the United Kingdom experience numerous physical challenges. These challenges include hearing impairment, visual problems, aching teeth, walking problems, joint pains, and headaches among others. These challenges inhibit various activities including; effective communication, ability to carry out simple tasks and creates dependency for the old. Additionally, these challenges inhibit the normal functioning of the body, such as adjusting and proper feeding. For example, there are approximately 3.2 million people experiencing above 65 years of age living in care homes experiencing urinary challenges in the United Kingdom. As a result, these challenges induce mental stress on individuals leading to depression.
Illnesses. Occurrence of diseases among the old is another major cause of depression. Illnesses like physical challenges inhibit normal operation of people, making it extremely hard to carry out their personal obligations. The prevalence of some diseases increases considerably with increase in age. Some of these diseases include cancer, and thyroid disease. Such illnesses cause a sense of being a burden to others, and loss of dignity. Ultimately, this yield stress and depression. Illnesses in old age also lead to other problems, which are likely to cause depression. These problems include aspects such as the use of financial resources which causes fear and instability in homes. Some of the medications used to treat these diseases are also known to induce depression. These medications include: drugs for treating steroid and high blood pressure, painkillers and tranquilizers. Overall, the occurrence of an illness among old people living in care homes increases the chances of depression (Baldwin, 35).
Death and Loss. Death of loved ones and loss of property for people living in care homes are major triggers of depression. Old people are poor receptors of bad news. Such bad news may induce psychological disorders leading to stress and depression. Loss of simple things such as pets may also trigger depression. The most significant type of loss causing depression among people living in care homes is the loss of lifestyle. People living in these homes feel that their new environments do not provide what their initial homes would provide, thereby, triggering depression (Chew 8).
Depression Risk Factors
Recent Illness
Loss of Loved Ones
Natural calamities leading to loss of property
Chronic Illnesses
Drug and Alcohol use
Poverty
Social Isolation
Physical Impairment
Poor care in home cares
Family problems
Cultural factors
Depression Symptoms for Older People Living in Care Homes
Diagnosing people with depression at ages above 65 years are extremely difficult and require consistent observation by the doctor. This is because common symptoms of depression include, isolation, loss of appetite, mood swings, fatigue and loss of sleep. Unfortunately, these are common symptoms among the old and do not necessarily symbolize depression. Consequently, doctors and caregivers in care homes must keenly observe old people for symptoms such as sadness, being downcast for long hours mood swings; persistent thoughts, suicide; loss of interest in various activities; worthlessness, guilt and helplessness; poor social interaction, feelings of being slowed down or keyed up; difficulty in initiating new activities, poor concentration and memory and difficulty in making decisions (Declan et al. 16).
Diagnosis of Depression in Care Homes within the United Kingdom
Caregivers and doctors work hard in hard to diagnose depressed persons within the homes. This is done through consistent observation of the symptoms outlined earlier. Once a person exhibits any or most of the symptoms listed, they are then subjected to a doctor’s examination. The doctor examines various aspects including psychiatric and medical history, prevalence of depression in the individual’s family line, physical examinations, biological examination through laboratory tests, current medical condition, as well as drug and substance use information (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration et al) . This examination may be carried out for some time before one is diagnosed positively or negatively (Declan et al. 23).
Treatment
Many people assume that depression is a normal part of aging. However, this assumption is not ...