Try: Depression in the elderly is a widespread problem but is not often recognized or treated according to the national institutes of health nih a number of life changes can increase the risk for depression or make existing depression worse caring for a spouse or family member also can add to those feelings of depression other changes and life events adapting to a move from home to an apartment or retirement facility chronic pain feelings of isolation or loneliness as children move away and their spouse and close friends die loss of independence problems getting around caring for themselves or driving multiple illnesses struggles with memory loss and problems thinking clearly signs of senior depression being more confused or forgetful eating less the refrigerator may be empty or contain spoiled food not bathing or shaving as often visitors may notice smells of urine or stool clothes may be dirty and wrinkled not taking care of the home stopping medicines or not taking them correctly withdrawing from others not talking as much and not answering the phone or returning phone calls information references "senior depression " by national institutes of health 2011 available at www nlm nih gov

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Social, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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Keywords: Depression life changes loss of spouse moving confused not bathing loss of appetite not eating well withdrawing from family isolation isolating

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed