Depression is one of the most treatable of all mental health problems. There are many different treatments for depression. Many excellent medications can make a great difference in one's mood and ability to participate in life. Counseling or talk therapy should be combined with medication to fully address depression. It can also be a great help for a person who is struggling to manage feelings of loss and grief.
If Mom or Dad is just not getting back to the way he/she was, and has an alarmingly long, ongoing period of sad mood and other symptoms, encourage him to see his doctor. Many elders are unaccustomed to talking about their feelings. They may lack the basic vocabulary to describe them. The adult child can offer gentle assistance with this difficult area. If unchecked, depression can become a downward spiral with no end. It can become worse and more miserable for the depressed person as time passes.
A word about medication for depression: prescribing doctors often start with the most conservative, lowest dose of antidepressant medication. While this is a good beginning, it is most important to evaluate the effect of antidepressant medication in two to three weeks after it is begun. If there is no relief from symptoms, such as sad mood or poor appetite which are often part of depression, it is good to ask the doctor to increase the dosage of the medication after two or three weeks have passed. A higher dose can sometimes provide just the relief needed. Lack of response to a low initial dose does not mean that the medication isn't right or can't work. Dad's doctor may need you, or Dad, to ask about increasing the dosage to see if a better result can be obtained. It is an often overlooked aspect of treatment. Be sure to tell the doctor about all other medications, including nutrition supplements that your parent is taking, to avoid dangerous drug interactions.
The "takeaway" from this article: Take your parent's unusual symptoms and changes in mood seriously. Addressing depression in aging parents can lead to relief, and improved quality of life. It is a loving act to suggest that the problem can be improved. It may take the initiative of a son or daughter to get help for Dad, but the effect of help is well worth your effort.
Dr. Mikol Davis has a special interest in aging issues, particularly assessing elders' capacity for making decisions. He has particular expertise in depression, anxiety and addressing conflicts in families. Together with his wife, nurse-attorney Carolyn Rosenblatt, he is a founder of www.AgingParents.com, which provides services and resources to those who are caring for aging loved ones. Their book, The Boomers Guide To Aging Parents, The Complete Guide is available on the website.