Data from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) shows nearly 95% of American adults 60 and over live with at least one chronic health condition, and 78.7% have at least two. Two of the most common are depression and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia (brain disorders that can cause memory loss), affecting 16% and 12% of seniors, respectively.
Since those conditions can co-exist with each other, older adults can experience depression and memory loss together. Furthermore, studies have found connections between the two.
To that end, the caring team at Aston Gardens At Parkland Commons, our retirement community in Parkland, FL, put together this guide on senior depression and cognitive health. Keep reading to discover:
- Depression and dementia symptoms and causes
- The link between depression and memory loss
- Tips for better cognitive health, mental wellness, and emotional well-being
Let’s get started.
Depression and Dementia Symptoms and Causes
Depression, a common mental disorder, can cause severe symptoms that primarily affect how a person feels. However, it can also hinder a person’s ability to think and handle daily activities.
Dementia encompasses brain disorders that affect a person’s cognition, including memory. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form.
Here are the symptoms and causes of both chronic health conditions.
Depression Symptoms
Depression manifests in many ways, and the intensity and duration of the symptoms may vary from one person to another:
- Chronic feelings of sadness, anxiety, and emptiness
- Thoughts of guilt, helplessness, and worthlessness
- Irritability
- Diminishing interest in activities
- Low energy levels
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in sleep patterns and appetite
- Memory loss
Depression Causes
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, research suggests the following factors play roles in depression:
- Genetics: A family history may increase the risk of developing it.
- Biological: People with depression appear to have altered brain structures.
- Environmental and psychological: This includes certain medications, traumatic events, substance use disorder (SUD), and chronic stress.
Dementia Symptoms
The symptoms of dementia vary depending on the cause, but memory loss is one of the most typical signs, especially in people with AD or vascular dementia. Other common indications include:
- Problems communicating or finding words
- Impaired spatial and visual abilities (e.g., getting lost or wandering)
- Reduced ability to reason and solve problems
- Difficulty performing complex tasks, organizing, and planning
- Confusion and disorientation
- Changes in personality
- Depression or anxiety
Dementia Causes
Dementia can happen when the brain develops a disease or injury that affects its nerve cells. Examples include:
- Alzheimer’s disease: Caused by an abnormal buildup of proteins in the brain
- Vascular dementia: Caused by vascular changes in the brain (for example, after a stroke)
- Lewy body dementia: Caused by abnormal deposits of alpha-synuclein proteins in the brain
- Frontotemporal dementia: A rare form of dementia that damages or injures the brain’s frontal lobe
- Brain injuries, which can arise from physical trauma (e.g., car crashes and falls)
- Substance use disorders (SUDs), including alcohol and drugs
The Link Between Depression and Memory Loss
According to Penn Medicine News, research has found evidence that people diagnosed with depression were more than twice as likely to receive a dementia diagnosis later in life.
Depression can also cause acute or short-term memory loss, as indicated by confusion and forgetfulness. It can also cause “brain fog,” a non-medical umbrella term for symptoms that impair a person’s cognitive functions, including remembering things.
Conversely, people with memory loss may experience depression, considering how unpleasant it is not to be able to remember things. They may also worry a lot about their forgetfulness or getting confused.
Furthermore, an article published in Medical News Today reported that a recent study demonstrated how depression and memory loss exacerbate each other. The researchers found that individuals with more severe depressive symptoms had accelerated memory loss. Significant memory loss also led to a higher level of depressive symptoms.
Tips for Better Cognitive, Mental, and Emotional Health
Although there’s no cure for depression and most types of dementia that cause memory loss, similar treatments and therapies can help manage their symptoms. Here are key strategies for better cognitive, mental, and emotional well-being.
Seek Professional Advice
The first step to coping with depression and memory loss is professional counseling. Health professionals provide tailored advice, support, and treatment options, including talk therapies, medication, or both.
You can seek advice from one or more of the following specialists who can help with depression and memory loss:
- A geriatrician, a doctor specializing in the care of older adults
- A neurologist who specializes in problems with the brain and nervous system
- A psychiatrist, a mental health specialist trained in psychiatry, mental health, and aging
- A psychologist, a mental health expert with specialized training in assessing cognitive functions
Stay Physically and Mentally Active
One of the most beneficial things older adults can do to manage depression, memory loss, and dementia is to stay active through highly engaging physical activities and events. Physical fitness programs, like exercise classes and yoga, are some examples. They’re fun and an excellent way to socialize, too.
Indeed, the U.S. CDC says physical activity offers benefits like:
- Helping cognitive functions, including learning, problem-solving, and memory
- Achieving emotional balance
- Reducing depression and anxiety
- Minimizing risks of cognitive decline, including dementia
Social interaction can also help combat isolation, loneliness, stress, and depression, which can all contribute to memory loss. Call or get together with loved ones regularly, and consider transitioning to a warm, welcoming senior living community like Aston Gardens At Parkland Commons in Parkland, FL. Here, our residents enjoy personalized care and attentive services and have many positive opportunities to stay physically, mentally, and emotionally engaged.
Depression and Memory Loss Are Manageable
While depression and memory loss often go hand in hand, especially in older adults, they’re both manageable. Seeking professional advice for personalized treatment and staying physically and mentally active are the best ways to start.
Aston Gardens At Parkland Commons, our award-winning senior living community, provides the finest quality care for older adults seeking assisted living and memory care services in Parkland, FL. We’re proud of our community’s high-quality amenities, senior wellness programs, and Alzheimer’s Association-recognized SHINE Memory Care curriculum.
Reach out today to learn more about us and to schedule a tour of our community!
