Is Dad showing signs of dementia?

Know the difference between depression and dementia

Ten warning signs of depression:

• Feelings of hopelessness, guilt

• Feeling worthless

• Irritability, restlessness

• No longer interested in activities or hobbies they used to enjoy

• Fatigue and decreased energy

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions

• Insomnia, waking early in the morning or excessive sleeping

• Overeating or loss of appetite

• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not get better, even with treatment

Ten warning signs of dementia:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life

• Difficulty planning or solving problems

• Difficulty completing familiar tasks

• Confusion with time or place

• Trouble understanding visual images

• Developing new problems with words while speaking or writing

• Misplacing things, trouble retracing steps

• Decreased or poor judgment

• Withdrawal from work or social activities

• Changes in mood and personality

This Father’s Day thousands of families will come home to find that Dad has lost his usual “spark.” He’s sad and sluggish. He’s not himself and he’s forgetting things. Is it depression or dementia? The two health issues are often confusing to diagnose and difficult to distinguish.

Late-life depression affects nearly 6 million Americans age 65 and older, but only one in 10 receives treatment. Factors that put a senior at an increased risk of depression include living alone, unmarried or widowed, certain medications that may be causing side effects, or chronic pain/illness.

When people are depressed, they can have difficulty concentrating, which usually leads to forgetfulness. For this reason, many families may immediately think Dad has dementia. Instead of jumping to conclusions, we suggest providing Dad with an in-home caregiver, even if it’s just for a few hours a day. It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give him this Father’s Day because caregivers are trained in dementia care — they can help families notice classic signs of dementia vs. depression. Caregivers also provide critical companionship at a time when dad may feel lonelier than he’s letting on.

Nearly one-fifth of all seniors in America, age 65 or older, have experienced depression at some point in their lives. Learning how to recognize the signs of depression and dementia is so important because often time Dad is the last one to ask for help. A 2008 study from the University of Cincinnati and the Medical University of South Carolina finds that in the U.S., boys learn early on that men should be strong, independent, tough and self-reliant. The study calls the contrast between men’s and women’s help-seeking behavior a “growing concern.”

Elderly men can suffer from deep depression, dementia or a physical ailment but often won’t ask for help. Plus, it’s quite normal that seniors often choose to delay treatment for depression because they fear they may have dementia. In fact, a recent study in the Journal of Neurology suggests that depression may increase the risk of dementia. That’s one more reason for people to educate themselves about the difference between normal aging and depression… to help Dad early on is key.

Dale Gardner is the owner of Senior Helpers, 1850 Lee Road, Suite 140
Winter Park. Call 407-628-4357 or visit www.seniorhelpers.com/orlando