Depression in dementia patients - how to cope

Various studies have explored the links between dementia and depression. One link is dementia-induced depression, which is that many people with dementia suffer from depression. The second is that those living with depression are more prone to developing dementia. Geratric specialists say that depression is a direct differential to dementia and the former is seen as a reversible, treatable illness. However, when it exists in people who suffer from dementia, caregivers tend to ignore it as the expression of depression is not always recognisable.

Depression is most common among those suffering from the early and middle stages of dementia. As these people already suffer from cognitive impairment, it is difficult for them to articulate if they are feeling sad, low or hopeless. Social withdrawal, impaired thinking, as well as a loss of activities and interests, depending on the stage of dementia, are some of the symptoms of depression. While it can be very severe in some people, it may not last long in others and appear with fluctuating symptoms.

Unfortunately, there is no single test or questionnaire for diagnosing depression among those with dementia. The evaluation has to be done based on medical history as well as physical and mental examinations. The most important way of diagnosing depression is by interviewing caregivers who know the patient well. The intervention of a psychiatrist is a must, given the complexity of the condition. Disturbances in sleep, fatigue, loss of energy and irritability among patients are common when the symptoms of depression are prolonged and long lasting.

Dealing with depression in such cases requires a multi-pronged approach. It involves a combination of simultaneous treatment for cognitive impairment that arises due to dementia, as well as anti-depression counselling for both the patient and his or her caregiver. A caregiver is also under immense pressure in these cases, as they take care of someone with both issues. Keeping the patient socially active and engaged becomes a vital part of treating depression.

Inspiring patients to cheer up, enabling them to seek inspiration from their own lives and empowering them to feel better can help alleviate the impact of depression. Non-drug approaches, like encouraging social engagement among the patients, getting them to seek help from support groups, where they can share their feelings with like-minded people and those who are facing similar challenges in their lives, can work wonders in terms of tackling depression. Encouraging them to take part in fun group activities that they enjoy, making them contribute to daily life in some way, keeping them physically active and not letting them feel abandoned are essential to dealing with depression.

Simple activities like involving the person in making orange juice, or familiarising one with flowers in the garden, engaging in conversation, exposure to music or solving a puzzle if one enjoys doing so can help elderly persons cope with the condition.