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What are the treatments for depression in seniors?

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SecretSister

Give a Hug

Aug 4, 2009

My Dad battles anger and aggression. He has an Alzheimer's diagnosis, of the Lewy Body variety. He began having trouble with anger at home, threatening to hit his wife and slamming drawers (when stuck). There were always anger issues in the home, with door slamming, but he was having catastrophic reactions, and his anger began escalating, along with other innappropriate behavior. He was taken to ER a couple times for his outbursts, then transferred to a Geriatric Psychiatric Unit at a separate hospital, to get this problem under control. From there, Dad was sent to a Nursing Home. He has been in this setting for a little over a year. Due to his innappropriate behaviors, and general decline due to Alzheimer's, he will remain institutionalized. The Nursing Home staff is doing everything they can to help, such as redirecting, changing rooms and roommates, etc., but nothing seems to help. He has seen a Psychiatrist several times, and often works with a Social Worker and the facility's Activity Department. He is on several medications for depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's, and etc., of which can be rather sedating. This doesn't seem like a very good quality of life for an elder (he's only 76 years of age). Are they missing something? Is there any hope for Dad? We feel so helpless, at times.

 
 

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ambsmith

Give a Hug

May 2, 2012

You say this "sedated" kind of life doesn't seem to have a "very good" quality to you. And you are right in that it isn't what anyone would choose for a loved one. However, it sounds to me, like it might be an all right choice for someone whose only other choice is uncoltrolable anger. Feeling helpless is going to be a part of your lifestyle from now own. I won't say get used to it. I never did. But I did learn to live with it. Are you part of a support group yet? This can be a big help -- bigger if it meets locally so you can talk to people face to face. My worst moments came when I felt all alone with this problem. My family and friends wanted to help, but didn't know how. It was my support group that got me through. It sounds like you're making all the right choices. Remember to take care of yourself and not allow your Dad's problems to become the center of your own life. He's important. But so are you. Keep up the search for newer drugs and newer techniques. But don't allow that search to define your own success or failure as a person.

 
 

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