Depression in older people
Depression is a mental health condition that can cause a continuous low mood. It can be particularly common in older adults. But that doesn’t mean it should be seen as a normal part of ageing. Here I’ll look at how depression affects older people and what you can do to manage it.
Risk factors of depression in older adults
There can be lots of different reasons for developing depression at any age. It’s often due to a combination of several factors. But as we get older, there may be certain things that make depression more likely.
These can include:
- dealing with more health problems
- a loss of independence
- stopping working
- bereavement of a partner or friend
- loneliness
Having dementia, which becomes more common as you get older, can also make you more likely to become depressed too.
Symptoms of depression in older adults
Typical symptoms of depression include feeling down or hopeless most of the time. You may also have little interest in things you’d usually enjoy.
But depression can appear differently in older people. These typical symptoms may be less obvious. Instead, older people may be more likely to have physical symptoms. These might include:
- a loss of appetite
- fatigue (tiredness)
- trouble sleeping
What other conditions could have similar symptoms?
As symptoms of depression in older people can be quite vague, it’s often confused with other conditions common in older age. These might include the following.
Dementia
Dementia is a condition affecting the brain, causing problems with memory, behaviour and communication. Some of the symptoms of dementia can be similar to those of depression. These can include feeling disorientated and distracted. It can be difficult to tell the two conditions apart, especially as older people often have both at the same time. In fact, having one condition can increase the risk of developing the other.
Delirium
Delirium refers to a sudden change in someone’s mental state, often causing confusion and disorientation. It can happen as the result of another illness, or a side-effect of certain medication. Certain types of delirium can cause the person to have trouble focusing, appear drowsy or withdrawn. This can be very similar to symptoms of depression.
Where can I go for support with depression?
If you’ve been experiencing symptoms discussed here for a couple of weeks or more, you should contact your GP. Encourage loved ones to see their GP too, if you’ve noticed changes in their mood or behaviour.
Your GP will assess the symptoms and may offer treatments to help. These can include talking therapies and antidepressants.
There are many ways to help a friend or relative who’s depressed. Support them to make sure they’re eating well, keeping active and taking care of their personal needs. This can all help.
Encourage your loved one to maintain social connections as much as possible. You could explore services available in the local community for older people – the Age UK website below lists local services.
Depression isn’t a sign of weakness, and it doesn’t have to be an expected part of ageing. Looking after your mental health – as you would a physical problem – can help you to stay healthy and happy into older age.
If you need further support or advice, you can visit Age UK or Mind. These are charities with information and resources to help older people with depression.
Are you aged over 65 and wondering about your health and wellbeing? Bupa's Mature Health assessment gives an insight into your current health, as well future health risks for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. We also offer a year of ongoing support, with nurses on hand all day every day with our Anytime HealthLine to help you meet your health goals.
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Sources Sources
- Depression. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. cks.nice.org.uk, last revised June 2024
- Depression. What causes depression? Mind. Mind.org.uk, published April 2023
- Depression and anxiety. Age UK. Ageuk.org.uk, last updated April 2024
- Depression in adults. Epidemiology. BMJ Best Practice. bestpratcice.bmj.com, last reviewed September 2024
- Dementia. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Cks.nice.org.uk, last revised April 2024
- Depression and dementia. Alzheimer’s Society. Alzheimers.org.uk, accessed 26 September 2024
- Delirium. Alzheimer’s Society. Alzheimers.org.uk, accessed 26 September 2024
- Delirium. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Cks.nice.org.uk, last revised December 2023
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