Health Matters: Battling Geriatric Depression
Remaining independent is important for many people as they age.
Many older people struggle between staying independent and becoming a burden on others.
As a person ages they tend to experience many losses in their life.
Loss of hearing, loss of mobility, even the loss of their driver’s license.
An Essentia Health psychologist says many of those losses can add up and can even result in depression.
Jeanne Boreen likes doing things on her own.
“I like to be my own self, I don’t like to depend on everybody. I have my four children but they have lives,” says Jeanne Boreen of Fargo.
That’s why Jeanne is thankful for Valley Senior Services Transportation Van.
A few years ago she stopped driving and Jeanne isn’t one to stay home.
“I would just be lost, because I’m not good at sitting in a chair, looking at TV. I’m no TV watcher,” says Boreen.
Unfortunately not everyone has such services available, stripping many of their independence.
“Feeling like they might be a burden to certain family members or friends because they can’t necessarily do the things for themselves that they were able to do at earlier points in their life,” says Essentia Health Psychologist, Dr. Megan Spencer.
And that feeling can sometimes spiral into depression.
“Some of the symptoms are exactly the same so even more isolation and withdraw from family and friends or even church,” says Dr. Spencer.
If you notice a loved one showing signs of depression, stepping in to help isn’t necessarily the right move.
“It’s probably not the best idea to jump in and say well I’ll take you here and ill drive you here because that’s going to increase that feeling of feeling like a burden,” says Dr. Spencer.
As for Jeanne, she’s keeping busy and while she’s not an avid TV watcher, she does make one exception.
“Only CSI Miami.”
Dr. Spencer says group support is a good way to fight feelings of loss and isolation.
She says if a person continues to experience feelings of hopelessness, she suggests seeking medical help.
