Depression not just a normal part of ageing

Martin Sloman.

Martin Sloman, a mental health advocate in Kapiti, writes about the challenges of ageing

"Old age should burn and rave at close of day."

It's hard to argue with Dylan Thomas's wish for an old-age dynamic but the reality often may be quite different.

Elderly folk, of whom we have a large population in Kapiti, sometimes face many health issues, including impairments, which increase dramatically over the age of 65, loneliness, anxieties and coping with a variety of health problems.

Depression among older people can appear in various forms, including fatigue, decreased energy, feeling hopeless or pessimistic, irritability, worries about housing and mobility, trouble concentrating and loss of interest in socialising with others. Depression in itself can lead to various forms of illness and might increase the likelihood of cognitive and cardiac problems.

However it's not a "normal" part of ageing.

Think of it as mind over matter.

If you don't mind ageing, it shouldn't matter.

Older people are likely to be enthusiastic about new hobbies, food preparation, having a laugh and enjoying honest conversation.

We can go some way towards solutions by keeping in touch with neighbours and family, helping older people deal with health issues methodically, sorting them out one by one, rather than letting them reach critical mass that may lead to depression.

We can watch out for chances to perform random acts of kindness, research what's available among the various groups that get together for canasta, bridge or mah jong in the community.

Worries about being a burden on friends or family tend to keep older folk to themselves when help can be only a phone call away and may lead to options -- for example getting a mobility scooter when retaining a driver's licence may become difficult.

Cognitive difficulties may be hard to measure particularly when someone is living alone.

One friend relies on solving the Listener cryptic crossword as an indication of how she is faring.

Another who takes several pills a day says he won't get them in day-labelled blister packs until he starts to get them mixed up.

So our bottom lines look like:

�Love thy neighbour.

�Random or regular acts of kindness.

�Community help like Age Concern's visitor programme.

�Encourage social activity.

And finally, help people in need to seek professional help and perhaps to navigate the health and support systems.