The Growing Risk of Senior Depression and Its Greater Threat Compared to Dementia

The author still feels their cognitive abilities are unreliable and is not experiencing happiness. As a general rule, are seniors more prone to depression?

“Some seniors fall into a depressive state triggered by losing connections with society after retirement, the death of a partner, spouse, or friends, or the independence of their children. As people age, they experience a decline in physical strength and memory, and can no longer do things they once could. While these changes are natural, people often focus on what they can no longer do, leading to discouragement and a loss of confidence.

Additionally, the number of seniors living alone is increasing, and some of them mistakenly equate living alone with loneliness, leading to strong feelings of isolation. These issues, loss and loneliness—are common among seniors to varying degrees, but those who are particularly troubled by the uncertainty of the future are more likely to develop elderly depression.”

Given these conditions in old age, it could be said that many seniors are potentially at risk of elderly depression.

According to Dr. Hosaka, signs that one might be developing elderly depression include becoming easily irritated or prone to anger over minor issues. As people age, their thinking often becomes more rigid, leading to increased stubbornness. This emotional aging makes it harder to manage anger and can be a sign of declining emotional health. However, since many seniors are aware of becoming more stubborn, Dr. Hosaka suggests looking for more obvious indicators.

“One indicator of emotional stability is whether one’s home is tidy. If someone’s home is so cluttered that there’s no space to walk, it’s likely that their mind and emotions are also disorganized. Such individuals are considered to be at a significant risk of developing elderly depression.”