Is Your Elderly Mom or Dad Suffering from Depression?

I know my mom has depression. And she knows it too. But she says she does not care. When I asked her neurologist about anti-depressants, the dr asked Mom what she wanted, and she said "No!" She has taken them in the past, but now says she is entitled to be depressed because she is nearly blind, hard of hearing, has memory problems and a wonky heart valve, and has to die soon. She refuses "any more pills." Meanwhile I am the one going nuts. I qualify for Medicare in three months and I think I should get the neurologist to prescribe for me!

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I am Kathy (39 years old) and the primary caregiver for my 81 year old Dad who has Alzheimer's disease and lives with me in North
Carolina.

I realized that my Dad had severe dementia after my Mom passed away in 2004, and he moved in with me.

We have a part time (private pay) CNA home health aide, who
stays with Dad while I work.

I have a full time job, a family of my own (including my love, David and his 14 year-old daughter, Jessica), am a volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels and the Lion's Club.

When Dad first came to live with us, I thought my life was over.
Then, I made a decision. We can let this ruin our lives, or we can
fight.

At our house, we use Razadyne, Namenda and laughter.

I am also writing a blog, it forces me to write down one funny thing about my life with Dad every single day. That is a very important part of making me a better caregiver.

I am committed to making sure my Dad will not suffer from
Alzheimer's. And hopefully, those of us who love him will not either.

Good Luck to all,
Kathy

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My mom is depressed and on Prestique. It is amazingly effective, a fact we know to be true by the effect of not taking it. There are many reasons not to take anti depressants, but in our case, none of them can counter the joy I get from having her enjoy this part of her life!

Li

Can depression cause violence in an older person with health issues against the care giver?