Because depression is a common and personally devastating condition for frail elderly people, it is essential that appropriate training and education be provided to caregivers. This Skill Builder equips the caregiver with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies to prevent, improve and manage depression in the people you care for. Recognize depression in others and distinguish it from dementia. Appreciate the painful feelings that people have when they are depressed. Understand and carry out the medical regimen for alleviating depression.
Depression is more than the grieving that occurs after the death of a loved one.
Depression is the darkest of moods, an empty feeling, many things and people are no longer interesting, aches and pains that keep coming back and go on and on for weeks, months or years. Depression is a whole body disorder that affects the way you think, the way you feel, both physically and emotionally. Depression is difficult to recognize in the elderly because other changes are also occurring and these can mask real depression. Physical conditions, grieving and dementia are common changes that can mask depression. The way depression is expressed is also different in the elderly than in other populations.