Depression manifests itself differently in the elderly than in younger adults. For example, they more often have physical complaints as a result of depression or struggle with sleeping problems. By involving geriatric psychiatrists earlier in the care of the elderly, they do not have to end up in hospital with malnutrition, chest pain or bedsores before their problems are recognized. Skipr reports this.
For example, due to loneliness, loss or physical problems, 20 percent of the elderly have depressive symptoms and even 25 percent of the older women. Untreated depression naturally puts a lot of pressure on the elderly themselves, but also on the caregiver and health care. Mental complaints often manifest themselves in physical forms, which means that they end up at the general practitioner or at the emergency department.
Treatable well
According to the elderly department of the Dutch Psychiatric Association (NVvP), most depression in the elderly can be treated well. But in order to do that, a more complete picture is needed of the number of elderly people who need help with this.
By: National Care Guide / Johanne Levinsky