Roughly a quarter of people age 65 or older suffer from depression. More than half of doctor’s visits by the elderly involve complaints of emotional distress. Twenty percent of suicides in this country are committed by seniors, with the highest success rate belonging to older, white men. According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, depression is one of the major causes of decline in the health-related quality of life for senior citizens.
Why all the depression? Rafi Kevorkian, M.D. calls them the five D’s: disability, decline, diminished quality of life, demand on caregivers, and dementia. To combat senior depression, then, requires coming up with creative methods to counter the five D’s. Here are 7 strategies to do just that, to help people break free from the prison of depression and anxiety in their senior years.
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The senior years can be difficult, especially if you have suffered the loss of a loved one. Just finding ways to pass the time can be a gloomy experience. Some ways to get on top of this situation is to join a club or take the initiative to be social. Planning your day’s routine can also help keep your mind occupied. Think of things you like to do – a game of chess, a walk in the park, visiting grandchildren. In addition, it may also help to take a fish oil supplement. Fish oil helps to promote good moods, and also supports healthy brain functions as you age. If your stomach is sensitive, you may want to try a fish oil supplement with an enteric coating, like Triple Strength Omega-3. Remember to take one which contains pharmaceutical grade fish oil with a high potency of DHA and EPA.