Older people in Ireland have been urged to look after their mental health during the winter months and to seek help and support if they are feeling depressed most of the day, most days.

Age Action has urged older people to address their mental health at the launch of the Mind Yourself – Depression in Later Life leaflet today. The leaflet provides useful information to help people recognise the symptoms of depression in later life and how to access support services and resources.

The leaflet was developed following research among over 65-year-olds. It showed that almost 60% of those surveyed believe that people in their age group would be reluctant to discuss depression with others.

One quarter of respondents said they believed that depression is a state of mind and not an illness, which could indicate a lack of understanding of depression. As a result, many older people with depression may not be being diagnosed or receiving the help they need, according to Age Action.

Some 91% of respondents believed that depression can have a very negative impact on a person’s life with 82% believing that depression is not well understood by many people.

Well over two thirds (70%) of those with depression think that there is a lot or some social stigma associated with depression. The research also revealed that those most likely to suffer from depression in this age group are older women who are widowed. 

“With older people, while their physical ailments may be detected and addressed their depression can often be overlooked and undertreated,” said Prof Brian Lawlor, professor of old age psychiatry, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin.

“Factors such as social isolation, bereavement and retirement can be extremely distressing for older people and can lead to depression. I would urge people to look out for warning signs in older family members or friends,” he said.

Low mood or sadness, social withdrawal, increased fatigue, loss of appetite, disturbed sleep, loss of enjoyment, feelings of hopelessness or life not worth living can all point to the presence of depression and should not be ignored, Prof Lawlor said.

Eamon Timmins, CEO of Age Action welcomed the research saying that the research gives valuable insight into the attitudes towards depression among the over 65s.

“Our ethos is to empower older people so that they can enjoy their later years. We would urge them to take account of their mental health as well as their physical health. Depression is not an inevitable part of ageing and can be treated successfully,” he said.

The new information leaflet, Mind Yourself – Depression in Later Life, is being launched today by Lundbeck (Ireland) Ltd to help older people who may have depression. It is available free by calling 01-468 9800 and will be distributed via GP surgeries.

If you, or someone around you, is experiencing symptoms such as feeling isolated, loss of self worth and confidence and/or are having any thoughts of suicide or death, talk to a healthcare professional or with groups such as AWARE on lo-call 1890 303 302.