Can Primary Care Help with Depression in Seniors?
Your primary care provider is your first stop if you have any health-related changes or challenges. This includes changes in how you feel. Late-life depression is serious and can be life-threatening. It is vital that you confide in your primary care provider about how you feel. This article highlights how primary care can help with late-life depression. But first, what is late-life major depression, and what can cause it?
What is late-life major depression?
According to an article published by the NCBI, late-life major depression (LLMD), also known as geriatric depression or late-onset depression, is depression that occurs after the age of 60 years old. However, the age of onset for LLMD may vary.
What causes late-life major depression (LLMD)?
LLMD can be caused by a multitude of elements in an older adult’s life. Causes can vary from or be a combination of major life changes and/or major health declines. Adults 60 years or older have a higher risk of developing LLMD. LLMD is serious and can lead to suicide. According to an article published by the National Library of Medicine, approximately 10% of older men and 20% of older women experience major depressive disorder (MDD) in the USA. This points out the importance of mental health care in older adults.
Those who battle significant comorbidity (having 2 or more health conditions) and/or declines in quality of life are more at risk of developing LLMD. Those battling significant medical conditions can result in symptoms of depression. Examples of medical conditions that can result in symptoms of depression can include diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, heart disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Those who have a family history of depression are also more at risk of experiencing LLMD.
For more information about the causes and risk factors of late-life depression, check out this article published by the National Library of Medicine which extensively details the causes of LLMD.
If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of depression or suicidal thoughts, call the suicide hotline at 988 to speak with someone today.
How can primary care help with depression in seniors?
Depression Care Management
Commonly, comorbidity involves taking multiple prescriptions at once. With a primary care provider, you are able to utilize your PCP to help manage your medications. Your PCP is also able to help you with understanding how your mind and body are responding to the medications you are taking. If you have LLMD, your provider is able to help identify if any of the medications you are taking for other health conditions could be worsening or causing LLMD.
Your provider is also able to prescribe antidepressants. With the knowledge of medications already prescribed to you and knowledge of how you have reacted to medications in the past, your provider is able to make fully informed decisions about what antidepressant medication is right for you. Studies have proven the effectiveness of primary care providers prescribing antidepressants to treat LLMD.
For older adults, you will be able to speak with your primary care provider about your lifestyle habits and evaluate if you are able to change, eliminate, or implement non-medical treatment options for LLMD. For example, studies show that exercise combined with an antidepressant helps decrease symptoms of LLMD drastically. You and your provider can implement lifestyle changes to your treatment plan if necessary. Your provider will also regularly evaluate your treatment plan to track your progress and modify and adjust your treatment plan as necessary.
Encouragement for Specialty Care
Your provider is someone who knows your family’s medical history, your current and past medical history, your preferred treatment methods, and your personality. Your provider is someone who has been by your side for your health journey. Thus, your provider is a trusted source to refer you to a psychiatrist right for you. Keeping up with regular checkups with your provider ensures you are receiving adequate care and your provider will walk with you through your treatment plan.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Symptoms of depression can affect your emotions, mind, and body. These symptoms include:
- Feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or worried
- Feeling guilty and/or worthless
- Difficulty sleeping, waking up early in the morning, or oversleeping
- Not enjoying things that used to give you joy
- Withdrawal from social events
- Low self-esteem
- Being easily irritated (irritable) or frustrated
- Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Unexplained physical pain
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Memory loss or difficult time concentrating
- Headache or stomachache without cause and does not ease with treatment
- Sexual dysfunction
- Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of depression or suicidal thoughts, call the suicide hotline at 988 to speak with someone today.
Bottom Line
The short answer to the question “Can primary care help with late-life depression?” is yes. Again, your primary care provider should be the first place you go if you experience any health changes. This includes changes in how you feel. Your PCP is the first stop where you and your provider will create a treatment plan and your PCP can refer you to specialty care if necessary. LLMD is a serious, life-threatening, and debilitating condition that should not be taken lightly. If you are experiencing symptoms of LLMD, speak with your primary care provider today.
If you are experiencing symptoms of LLMD, speak with your primary care provider today. If you are having thoughts about suicide, call the suicide hotline at 988 to speak with someone today.
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Written by the Healthy Heart Clinics’ editorial staff and reviewed by medical experts and advisors. These items are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific questions about their individual health should consult their physician.
Written by Saragrace Keelin
Medically reviewed by Dr. Robert Tassin
