Nobody
wants to think about the mortality of their aging parents. Nobody wants to even
begin to think about what they’re going to do once their loving parents become
physically and mentally weakened by the aging process. The truth is that the
earlier one starts to plan about their parents’ future, the easier it will be
for the whole process.
Before
deciding to talk to your parents about their future, you might want to discuss
this issue among you and your siblings (if you have any siblings) to see who is
willing to do what (finance, taking care of them, etc). Once you have figured
out what efforts you are willing to contribute, you should start discussing the
issue with your parents. Some things to ask them would be:
·Would you rather live in a nursing home or live
at home? (some parents would rather live in a nursing home than be a burden to
their children by living at home, so if you are willing to have them live at
home with you, LET THEM KNOW!)
* “Fifty
million Americans currently provide the home care for an adult family member,
according to the National Alliance for Caregiving” (1). So know that you’re not
alone!
·There is also a choice of assisted living, where
a nurse or CNA comes into their home frequently and takes care of their needs
Having your
parents’ input on the matter is very important for their happiness. One of the
best compromises between nursing homes and living at home with your parents is
assisted living. Assisted living comes at a fraction of the cost of nursing
homes and this way, parents are still able to live at home where they are
comfortable. Some may say that they are willing to take on the responsibility
of their aging parents all the way, but what about your job? Or your children?
Or your spouse?
Taking care of an elder is difficult and can make people
stressed and depressed. I’m not saying it is impossible to take care of an
elder with a family and a job (because my parents do it with my grandma), but
boy is it hard. Whenever I come home, I feel the tension between my mother and
my grandmother. My grandmother has Alzheimer’s, so this makes it even more
difficult for my family. Luckily, my grandmother is physically stable, but her
mind often fails her in many things. The worst part about this is that somebody
has to be at home at all times because my grandma has been known to get into
trouble. She sometimes forgets that she leaves the stove on some occasions the
stove is set on “HIGH” and the pans would be burning along with the wasted food
that was in them.
Below (2) is a
link to a story written by a man that had to go through the process of caring
for his aging father. It is just an example of the responsibility and heartache
that comes with taking care of an elder. I know that even thinking about your
parents becoming old and weak is depressing, but the best option anybody can do
is have a plan way before the inevitable crisis occurs.
Development
assets are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that
help influence and mold young people into caring, responsible adults.
They represent the relationships, opportunities, and personal
qualities that young people need to avoid risks and to
thrive.
The
Development Assets framework includes twenty external and twenty
internal assets.
The
external assets are essentially health promoting features of the
environment, they can be broken down into four categories:
Support
Empowerment
Boundaries
and Expectations
Constructive
Use of Time
The
internal assets are the skills, values, competencies, and
self-perceptions we attain. They are also grouped into four
categories:
Commitment
to Learning
Positive
Values
Social
Competencies
Positive
Identity
Who came up with them?
Peter
Benson a researcher from the Minneapolis-based Search Institute came
up with the theoretical framework in the 1990s, he based the
framework off of data from positive youth development focused
studies.
What are the benefits of them?
Research has proven that the
youth who are exposed to the most assets are least likely to engage
in four different patterns of high-risk behavior, including problem
alcohol use, violence, illicit drug use, and sexual activity.
The Search Institute did a small study
that found that the more Development Assets the youth are exposed to
positively correlates with academic achievement.
Another researcher found that academic
achievement was tied to frequent participation in community-based
organizations, this demonstrates the utilization of the empowerment
asset.
For more information on the
Developmental Assets the Search Institute has a youtube video that
explains the importance of these simple, positive assets:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk6ius0qLv4
References
Anderson,
K. (2011). Developmental
assets.
Retrieved from http://www.search- institute.org/developmental-assets
Tilley, C. L.
(2011). Developmental Assets. School Library Monthly, 27(7),
41-44.
The need for an established
health and physical education program directed toward the youth in
Knox County is more urgent now than ever before. According to the
latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey, an astonishing high of 28.8% of
Missouri children are now overweight or obese. As
overweight or obese children tend to remain overweight or obese in
adulthood, this data reveals a significant dangerous trend toward
heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
Currently, 32% of Knox County adults are obese, with another 38%
being overweight, and this number will only increase with the influx
of overweight children ("Health & preventative," 2009).
Present
risk factors in Missouri youth appear to continue tirelessly and
include the following:
32.4%
of Missouri children watch three or more hours of TV a day
22.9%
use computers for reasons unrelated to school work more than three
hours a day
55.6%
of Missouri children report not attending physical education
classes in an average week
High
rates of unintentional injury precursors (bicycle helmet usage,
seat belts, driving/riding under influences, etc.)
Significant
mental health issues (depression, bullying, weapon usage, etc)
Tobacco
and alcohol use
High
rates of unprotected sex at young ages
("High
school yrbs," 2009)
Examples
of communities developing community health programs have been studied
and many successful programs have been discovered , including the
following:
Community
Initiatives Fund (CIF) in Saskatchewan, Canada, with its Physical
Activity Program, Gambling Prevention Program, and Aboriginal Sport
and Recreation Program
Oak
Parks, Illinois, community center with various exercise classes and
mental health services and support groups for those living with
specific diseases
The
Lockwood School District in Montana with a drug and alcohol
awareness program for high schoolers and their parents
The
Knox County Community Center, newly erected this year in Edina, has
dedicated itself toward the intervention in the decline of youth
health in Knox County. Education classes will be available
concerning nutritional health, sexual health, substance abuse, sleep
awareness and many other diverse topics along with a facility for
safe recreation, from organized sports and lessons to use of workout
equipment for all members. In order for the KCCC to be successful in
this intervention, the staff asks for Knox County resident's help in
raising both funds and awareness.
Johnson,
M. (2012). Community initiatives fund program help residents build
vibrant communities. Sasknewsnow,
Retrieved from
http://www.sasknewsnow.com/section/2012- 01-14/article-2864437/Community-Initiatives-Fund-program-help-residents-build- vibrant-communities/1
MICA,
(2008). Child
health profile for Knox residents.
Retrieved from Missouri Government website:
http://health.mo.gov/data/mica/ASPsChildHealth/Main.php?cnty=103
MICA:
County Level Study 2003-2007 Comparison, MICA. (2009). Health
& preventative practices for Knox-Scotland-Clark county adults.
Retrieved from U.S. Government website:
http://health.mo.gov/data/mica/CLS_Compare/header.php?cnty=103&p
Youth
Risk Behavior Survey, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(2009). High
school yrbs Missouri 2009 results.
Retrieved from U.S. Government website:
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline/App/Results.aspx?LID=MO
Being involved at all ages is a very important aspect in life. There are many ways how being a part of something or going to a designated place where you have membership can enhance your overall lifestyle. Membership can enhance your life dealing with self- confidence, personal health, and can increase your social life. By doing something simple like joining a gym or a community center, you will be able to find possibilities that you never have expected for yourself. It has been proven how keeping kids active can result in more positive outcomes and also exercise with children and families can have positive psychological affects as well. As much as people don’t feel that being a member of a gym or community center isn’t important, there are many great benefits that can give a person a better overall life.
According to Beginner Triathlete being involved at a gym can lead to positive psychological benefits. Exercise can be a confidence booster, mood enhancer, reduce anxiety and depression, and also be a stress reducer. By getting exercise, you release endorphins in your body which will release good feelings in your body. You will be able to burn calories, reduce stress, and get yourself in a better mood when you work out. It is important to stay on a routine in order to get yourself used to the benefits of exercise and see the change in your mood and stress levels. You will be able to notice the physical effects of working out by having your clothes fit better, and see the difference on the scale, but the effect to that is seeing that positive change and therefore will have a better self-confidence (Beginner Triathletes 2011). It has also been proven that people who work out in a gym are more likely to push themselves longer and harder because they are in a room full of people who also want to look good in front of others. It gives you the extra motivation and the push you will need in order to get a great workout. The other benefit is being able to get access to really nice equipment that will be able to give you advantages to a workout that exercising at home won’t be able to. You will be given the opportunity to use different machines that specialize in giving certain results. You will benefit from using the equipment and will be able to see the various results (Article Snatch 2012).
Along with personal benefits of joining a gym or community center, there are also the benefits for your children and as a family. Going to the gym is a great way to get bonding time with your children. By being active you don’t only increase their healthy lifestyle, but also form a good relationship with your kids. It can be something that you all have in common and find a fun thing to do as a family. By keeping your kids active, you will also be able to give them a routine where it will decrease their chances for childhood obesity that could cause other health problems in their future. The best way to get your children involved is to set a good example and set routines. If you show your children the importance of exercise and fun aerobic activities, they will be more interested in doing them as well (Mayo Clinic 2011). There has also been studies conducted that showed how exercise and healthy lifestyles in children will result in less risky behaviors in their future such as wearing a seatbelt, not drinking or smoking, eating more healthier foods, and being more cautious about sexual behaviors. There was also another decrease in risky behaviors that was even more when the parents were involved in the children’s exercise patterns (Grey 2011).
It is important to realize how significant being a member of a gym or being involved in a community center can be for your future. Your health is an important part of life and by getting routine and setting good examples for your family; you can reach your goal of optimal health. It takes the first step of getting involved to start your journey to a healthy lifestyle. So go sign up at your local gym or community center and start the path to living a long healthy, happy life.
sources:
Beginner Triathelet.com. Psychological effects of exercise. (2011) retrieved from:http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=734
Grey, Gina. Benefits of keeping active. (2012) retrieved from:http://family.go.com/parenting/pkg-teen/article-781156-benefits-of-keeping-active-t/
Mayo Clinic. Fitness for kids: getting children off the couch. (2011) retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/FL00030
The advantages of belonging to a gym. Article Snatch. Com(2011) retrieved from: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/The-Advantages-Of-Belonging-To-A-Gym-/1017979
Smoke-Free/Tobacco-Free
Living-Benefits for family, kids, community
Imagine
waking up every morning and you cannot start or function without a puff of a
cigarette. Even though it is harmful, the addiction is too strong, and it
seems impossible to quit or to even reduce the amount of cigarettes or packs
consumed. Cigarette smoking takes over 443,000 lives each year in the
United States, and that number continues to rise (Center for Disease Control
and Prevention, 2012). To emphasize how detrimental tobacco use is, it
causes more deaths annually than “deaths from human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders
combined,” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). By the year
2030, due to the current tobacco use status, it will have caused more than 8
trillion deaths (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012).
Knox
County has a population size of 3,981 as of 2009. The health
department is located in Edina, the community center and one of the bigger
cities in the county. Edina’s population is 1,110 with a -10.0%
population change since 2000 (Onboard Informatics, 2003-2011). According
to the Knox County Health Department, in 2009, a smoking cessation class was
not offered (“Knox county health,”2009). Studies have shown that as of
2007, 22.03% of Knox County residents do smoke (Missouri Department of Health
and Senior Services, 2007). Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
(MICA) have estimates on the number of deaths attributable to smoking which are
“based on smokers’ increase likelihood of dying of various disease,” (Missouri
Department of Health and Senior Services, 2007).
In
the United States, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death, and
smoking is a major factor (Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
2012). For a smoker, the disease is 2 to 4 times more likely to occur
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Tobacco use causes 90%
of lung cancer deaths in men and 80% in women and 90% of deaths from chronic
lung disease for both genders (Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
2012). In addition to harming the individual who is smoking, they are
also harming their spouse, children and others around them in the
community. This is referred to as secondhand smoke and can cause the same
diseases as it would the smoker (Meakem, 2012). Children who live with a
parent or parents that smoke are more likely to develop ear infections, asthma,
colds, and bronchitis than children living in a tobacco-free home (Meakem,
2012). As for the community, smoking can also trigger children in outdoor
and public places to become ill or to be influenced by adults who smoke
(Meakem, 2012). In a 2009 Missouri Youth Risk Behavior Survey of high
school students, 46% tried smoking, 19% smoked cigarettes on at least 1 day
during the 30 days before the survey was given, 7% smoked cigarettes on 20 or
more days during the 30 days before the survey, 5% smoked cigarettes on school
property during the 30 days before the survey and 47% did not try to quit
smoking cigarettes (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion, 2009). From this survey, the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
offered solutions that many communities could consider. The solutions for
this are to have better health education, more family and community
involvement, and to enforce healthier school environments (National Center for
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2009).
There
are many benefits of not smoking, first off is the cost of tobacco use. Smoking
costs the United States billions of dollars ($193), including the health care
expenses (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). As for
secondhand smoke, this costs the United States more than $10 billion which
includes health care expenses, morbidity and mortality (Center for Disease
Control and Prevention, 2012).
Another
benefit of not smoking is that you are not harming every organ in your
body. It is a leading cause of cancer including that of the lungs,
esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, pancreas, stomach and cervix which also is
the main cause of death in individuals (National Cancer Institute, 2012).
Also, for the nonsmoking adults and children around you, you are not
harming their organs. Secondhand smoke can increase a nonsmoker’s risk of
heart disease by 25 to 30 percent (National Cancer Institute, 2012).
Quitting or not even beginning smoking can change the course of this disease
and prolong a more healthy life. Another benefit of not smoking is your blood
pressure and heart rate will remain normal, as a smokers heart rate and blood
pressure are more likely to be high (National Cancer Institute, 2012).
Nonsmokers benefit, again, because they will have normal circulation, less
phlegm production and they will most likely not wheeze and cough as a smoker
would (National Cancer Institute, 2012). These ailments make daily tasks,
such as, walking upstairs, playing with your children, working out, etc, rather
difficult.
National Cancer Institute. (2012,
January 12). Harms of smoking and health benefits of quitting. Retrieved
from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/cessation
A disaster is a crisis
situation causing wide spread damage which far exceeds our ability to recover.
The goal of Emergency and Disaster Preparedness is to reduce the impact of
damage created by a disaster (Thirunavukarasu, n.d.). Another goal
of Emergency and Disaster Preparedness is to reduce vulnerability to hazards
and cope with (Thirunavukarasu, n.d.). To a family or individual,
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness means taking the steps to prepare for and
survive a threat.
In order to prepare for disasters,
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), recommends creating a safety or
emergency kit. This kit can be used if your family is trapped inside the
house, cannot use roadways to get to stores, or in case of injury and can make
a huge difference during an emergency. A basic emergency kit should
include: one gallon of water per person per day for three days, non-perishable
food for each person for three days, battery powered or hand crank radio and
extra batteries, flashlights for each person and extra batteries, first aid
kit, whistle, filter mask or a cotton t-shirt for each person, moist towlettes,
garbage bags, and plastic ties, wrench or pliers, manual can opener, plastic
sheeting and duct tape, important family documents, daily prescription
medicine, other things include diapers/formula for babies and special need
items. Typically a three day supply of food and water is the minimum
recommendation, having a larger supply means longer survival (Federal Emergency
Management Agency [FEMA), n.d.). Small comfort items can be added
like a few toys for children, a candy bar, or a book to read. These
small items that do not take up much space can come in handy to increase moods
during survival time.
In the United States, unintentional falls are the most common cause of
nonfatal injuries for people older than 65 years. Up to 32 percent of
community-dwelling individuals over the age of 65 fall each year, and females
fall more frequently than males in this age group, (Centers for Disease control
and Prevention, 2006). Fall-related injuries are the most common cause of
accidental death in those over the age of 65, resulting in approximately 41
fall-related deaths per 100,000 people per year. In 2009, Adair County, MO reported
6, 588 emergency room visits for falls , a total of 26.5%, higher than the
state average of 25.81%. In the same year 735 individuals were hospitalized for
a serious fall or injury, (MO Department of Health & Senior Services,
2009). In general, injury and mortality rates rise dramatically for both males
and females across the races after the age of 85, but males older than 85 are
more likely to die from a fall than females, (National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control, 2007).
Because the word depression is used so commonly in our
society, it is important to learn what depression is and what that actually
means. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Someone who is depressed has “feelings of sadness or anxiety that last
for weeks at a time. He or she may also experience feelings of hopelessness and
guilt, irritability, restlessness, loss of interest in activities or hobbies
once pleasurable, fatigue and decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, insomnia,
overeating or appetite loss, Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts, Persistent
aches or pains, headaches, and cramps.” When a person has depression, signs are
seen and symptoms are felt even after healing time and even treatment. While
this is a serious matter at any age, older adults are prone to have a
heightened danger of developing depression. According to the CDC, about 80% of
older adults have at least one chronic health condition, and 50% have two or
more. Depression is more common in people who already have other illnesses or
when their body’s function and mobility start to lessen (“Depression
and Suicide Facts” n.d.).
Because the human body and mind deteriorate with age, older adults are often misdiagnosed and undertreated for depression (“Depression
and Suicide Facts” n.d.).
Healthcare providers could easily mistake an older adult's symptoms of
depression as just a person’s natural reaction to illness life changes. Because
of this people would not see depression as something to be treated. Older
adults could agree the feelings being felt at that time are just part of life
(“Depression and Older Adults” n.d.). Some older adults don't understand that
they could feel better with appropriate treatment and can continue to live a
life that has quality and happiness as its foundation.
An
important aspect of learning about depression is that there are treatments
available to combat this illness. Costs for the depression care had a mean cost
of $580 per patient (“Depression and Older Adults” n.d.). If this cost could be reduced and eventually
be eliminated, that in itself could be seen as a perk to older adults feeling
uneasy about treating their depression. A popular treatment method is the home
or clinic based depression care management. This involves using a team
approach. A trained social worker, nurse, or other practitioner oversees
patient education, tracks specific outcomes, and delivers an evidence-based
treatment that a primary care provider and psychiatrist would prescribe
(“Depression in the Elderly” n.d.). This treatment could be in a clinical
setting when an older individual lives in a nursing home or home care could be
provided where every treatment option happens within the home environment.
Another popular treatment option is cognitive therapy. This form of therapy
gives the patient an opportunity to battle against the negative thoughts triggering
depression. According to WedMd,
patients with depression have continual negative thoughts that feed the
depression. These thoughts are known to be automatic, which is a good benchmark
of knowing when someone has depression. Cognitive therapy, defined by WebMd, is a treatment plan that helps
patients recognize and correct the constant negative thoughts that continually
pop into the patient’s head. Studies have shown that cognitive
therapy works at least as well as antidepressants in helping people with mild
to moderate depression (“Depression in the Elderly” n.d.).
This plan does not need medication to be effective which can be seen as a
benefit. Older adults already take medication for other problems, patients
should recognize there is treatment available and it does not need to come in
the form of a pill. Treatment with
therapy can shorten the course of depression and can help reduce symptoms seen
in depressed patients (“Depression in the Elderly” n.d.).
Treatment is such a pivotal part of what depression is and how it can affect
someone’s life forever but the harsh reality is that 75% of depressed older adults do not
receive appropriate treatment and 80% of nursing home residents fail to receive
appropriate treatment. (“CDC
Promotes Public Health Approach” n.d.). There is so much that has been learned about
depression over the years through multiple studies and scientific breakthroughs
but there is so much more out there to be learned and even more people that
need help.
sarah staebell
Depression in the Elderly:
Symptoms, Causes, Treatments. (n.d.). WebMD –
Better
information. Better health.. Retrieved January 15, 2012,
from
Everyone
enjoys comfort food, that is why we find it comforting, but Knox County, MO has
decided to jump out of its comfort zone and into a new pair of smaller jeans! The
first step to kicking off the pounds is reading this blog!
Here are a
few pieces of advice that can help you find your healthiest you:
First, each of us has the power to defeat
the odds.Statistics show that 73.6% of Knox County residents over the age
of 18 are overweight or obese (Missouri Information for Community Assessment, 2010).
This means that roughly 3 of every 4 adults are overweight or obese. Hope is
not lost! There are great ways to keep a healthy weight and lose weight! Weight
loss and maintenance is about YOU, not about the eating habits or weight of
others around you. This is about your health and no one else’s.
Second, not all diets are created equal,
and some can be dangerous.According to the Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics, “If the diet or product sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
There are no foods or pills that magically burn fat. No super foods will alter
your genetic code. No products will miraculously melt fat while you watch TV or
sleep. Some ingredients in supplements and herbal products can be dangerous and
even deadly for some people” (2011). As we work together towards eating
healthier, it is important for us to remember that KEEPING THE WEIGHT OFF our
main goal. If you are overweight and have every tried dieting, it can feel like
being on a yo-yo. We at the Knox County Community Center suggest that you keep
a long-term perspective on losing weight. We want you to feel healthier and
live longer, but to do this, the focus needs to be on making lifestyle changes
to how we eat.
Third, there are many great resources about
weight loss, including tools to help you track progress towards your personal
goals.The website www.choosemyplate.gov
is a great site for anyone who really wants to understand how to lose weight
and maintain a healthy weight. They have an entire section about “Weight
Management & Calories.” It teaches you everything you need to know about
what actually makes you lose weight and how to lose weight safely. There is a
great section called “Make Better Choices” that offers advice for real people,
such as: “Being successful at decreasing portion sizes doesn't mean that you
have to measure every meal or snack you eat. Once you've taken the time to
measure out a few examples, you will be able to estimate portion sizes better.
Plus, just eating or drinking less than you normally would means you are
decreasing your portion sizes” (United States Department of Agriculture, 2011).
Another great resource on the site is the
"SuperTracker" which lets you track foods, physical activity, and
your weight. It's very simple to fill out and it helps you see where you can
make small improvements towards being more healthy.
The site also has "Food-A-Pedia," a branch of the
site that lets you compare the nutrients in any two foods you suggest. It's
really great for people trying to lose weight because it's like having a
personal "Eat This, Not That" book that is made of only the things
you like!
In closing, the most
important thing you can do for weight loss is start making small goals and work
towards larger ones.Remember to stay positive and empowered about eating
healthy foods: “A healthy eating plan that helps you manage your weight
includes a variety of foods you may not have considered. If ‘healthy eating’
makes you think of foods you can’t
have, try refocusing on all the new foods you can eat” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011).
This change is about YOU and together WE can eat well to
live well.
In most cases, individuals are unable to identify the signs
and symptoms of depression due to a lack of health education and because older
adults may show different and less obvious symptoms.The individual is more likely to overlook the
symptoms as not severe, causing the symptoms and illness to worsen.More health education needs to be provided to
senior citizens on depression awareness and the provided steps to help treat
this disease.
Every individual who suffers from symptoms of depression may
incur different experiences and level of severity.Some signs may include: persistent sad,
anxious or “empty” mood; feelings of hopelessness/pessimism; feelings of guilt,
worthlessness, helplessness; loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and
activities that were once enjoyed; decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed
down”; difficulty concentrating, remembering; appetite and/or weight-loss/gain;
thoughts of death or suicide; restlessness, irritability; Persistent physical
symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive
disorders, and chronic pain (Grohol, 2008).If these symptoms remain untreated, symptoms of major depression may
worsen and may continue for years.They
can cause untold suffering and can lead to suicide.
Depression most likely results from family history, life
experiences such as trauma or the loss of a loved one, and the individual’s
environment.For older adults who
experience depression for the first time later in life, other factors may be
involved.Depression may be related to
changes that occur in the brain and body as a person ages. For example, older
adults may suffer from restricted blood flow, a condition called ischemia. Over
time, blood vessels may harden and prevent blood from flowing normally to the
body's organs, including the brain, later causing vascular depression (NIH,
2007).Depression in older adults can
also co-occur with other serious medical illnesses such as diabetes, cancer,
and Parkinson’s disease.Medication
taken for these illnesses can also contribute to the onset of depression.
Throughout the world, many physicians believe that
depression is a natural part of aging, but in fact, depression is not a normal
part of aging. Suicide is also another major health concern among older adults
suffering from depression.Older white
males age 85 and older have the highest suicide rate in the United
States.Depression in older adults is extremely detrimental to their life and
can cause more health problems for the individual.Some consequences may include: Diminishing
the quality of life for the senior, as well as for friends and loved ones;
Depression increases the risk of substance abuse and substance abuse in¬creases
the risk of depression; Depressed seniors are up to 3 times more likely to fall
than those without depression; Increased visits to emergency rooms and
hospitalizations; Unnecessary or premature nursing facility placement (Older
Adults, n.d.).
If symptoms of depression are identified within an
individual, they should immediately be seen by a physician or family
doctor.A doctor can rule out
medications or another medical condition as the cause of the depression by
doing a complete physical exam, interview, and lab tests (Depression, n.d.). If
these factors can be ruled out, he may refer them to a mental health
professional such as a psychologist, counselor, social worker, or
psychiatrist.Once diagnosed with
depression, the person can be treated in several ways.Antidepressant medication is the first way an
individual can be treated for depression.These antidepressants primarily work on the neurotransmitters to help
regulate mood within the body.Another
way an individual can seek treatment is through psychotherapy or “talk
therapy.” Therapy helps the person restructure negative thought patterns and
change behaviors that may contribute towards the depression.Support groups can also help link older adults
to other persons going through similar problems.
NIH Senior Health (2007). In National Institute of Mental
Health. Retrieved January 2012.
Depression (n.d.). In National Institute of Mental Health.
Retrieved January 2012.
Grohol, J. M. (2008). Types and Symptoms of Depression. In
PsychCentral. Retrieved January 2012.
Depression and Older Adults (n.d.). In Comprehensive
Psychiatric Services. Retrieved January 2012.
Depression (2007). In ULifeline. Retrieved January 2012.