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Money & Maturity Series: Unbiased Information through Conversation Tuesday Evenings April 13 – May 11, 2010 Click here  for more information |
Click on one of the links above to learn more about programs and services offered at the Department on Aging.
Call
(517) 788-4364 for details about any service.
Depression
can start "out of the blue", for no known reason. It can occur
after a difficult life experience, such as the death of a loved one, loss
of health, or a reduction of independence. Depression effects ones overall
health and ability to enjoy and participate in life. In contrast to normal
sadness or grief, clinical depression is extreme and persistent and can
interfere with a person's ability to function.
Among people age 65 and older, nearly 6 out of 100 suffer from some form of depression. Although depression may be common, it is definitely not a normal part of age. Depression is a treatable illness.
| Common signs of Depression | |
| - Persistently feeling sad, tearful or cranky - Low energy - Loss of interest in hobbies or friends - Feeling worthless, hopeless or having excessive guilt - Sleeping more or less than usual - Nervous or restless - Poor appetite or weight loss - Feeling like life is not worth living - Trouble making decisions or concentrating |
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There is good news! Nearly 80% of people with clinical depression can be treated with some combination of therapy and medication. However, many depressed older adults do not recognize being depressed and are unlikely to seek help. Others feel they just have to live with it.
The Depression Screening program was developed in an effort to increase identification of depression in older adult. Call Danielle, at 788-4364, to find out more.