Depression in old age can manifest itself in problems related to the loss of the social role that the elderly person used to play, such as when they retire and no longer feel useful or necessary in society.

Age comes  and points to reflections of choices from other times that the elderly in the present day, with the loss of vitality and  perhaps  autonomy, can no longer make, giving the elderly  a negative feeling.

Depression can also occur with the death of a spouse, leading to a certain loneliness.

We must understand and know how to deal with the years we've lived and add to them a wealth of knowledge so that we can live better lives with the experience and also contribute to the experience of other people.

How can depression affect the elderly?

It can hit in two ways:

• those who have experienced depression in their lifetime, whether or not they have been treated.
• those who develop depression only in old age, precisely because of age-related factors.

In both cases, depression can be a little more difficult to identify and requires greater attention from those who live with the elderly person.

Among the main manifestations are difficulty eating, insomnia, physical pain, memory problems and isolation.

It's important to observe the elderly person, paying close attention to their attitudes and complaints. There are cases in which the elderly person is seen as a "complainer" and that's not how this behavior should be seen; the complaint deserves a closer look and knowing that they need attention.

A point also to be considered is the mourning that the elderly person goes through or may have gone through in their life and that in some cases there is no important family presence in this process, making the elderly person feel abandoned and unhappy, making the process of treating depression much worse.

How to help elderly people with depression?

First of all, pay attention to their behavior. If you notice that it has changed, go to a professional who will be able to identify if it really is depression  and if so, will indicate the correct treatment with psychotherapy and if necessary the use of medication. The family is very important and fundamental in this treatment process. Make the elderly feel integrated into the family and social group, it is very positive that they feel an important part of the family, friends and society.

Affection is essential for a good quality of life for the elderly. Feeling loved and cherished brings a sense of importance to people's lives, because we all want to be loved at every stage of our lives.

We have to understand that we will all go through the aging process, so when we help the elderly to feel capable, loved, an important part of our family and society, it will also contribute to us in the future when we go through this process.

Think about it.