Email
Print
Letter to Editor
ShareBeating the blues
By Rebecca Aldous | October 03, 2008Depression in seniors often goes undiagnosed, says a mental health and additions nurse.
Sleep changes, lack of energy, appetite changes and other symptoms of mental illness are frequently written off as aging or side-effects of medication seniors may be taking, said Bev Roney, Seniors at Risk Integrated Health Network nurse.
And there's a danger in that.
Individuals over 60 years of age are five times as like to commit suicide than younger groups, according to the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario.
"It's often (assumed) it's normal for older people to be depressed because they are coming to the end of their life," Roney said.
This sentiment runs within seniors as well, she said, which adds to the difficulty of diagnosing the illness.
On top of this barrier, seniors today come from a generation where mental health was not openly discussed.
On Thursday, Oct. 9, an adult education and awareness event on seniors and depression will be held at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre in Hillside Seniors Health Centre, 1454 Hillside Avenue.
The event will focus on the signs of depression that appear among seniors as supposed to younger adults and ways to combat depression — through lifestyle changes and medicine.
A lot of seniors are starting yoga and meditation to help keep mentally and physically healthy, said Liz McCarter, the wellness centre's coordinator. Senior orientated programs, such as yoga classes, will set up booths at the affair. There will also be onsite screening for depression.
Opening at 10 a.m. and running until 3 p.m., the forum is open to everyone, but focused on seniors.
"It is also open to caregivers," McCarter said.
The event is part of Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Education and Screening Day, which is organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
raldous@vicnews.com
