Does Depression Cause Memory Loss? What Seniors Should Know
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) says that depression affects 16% of the senior population. It's the ninth most common chronic condition in older U.S. adults, with the tenth being Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia, which are memory-related problems.
Although distinct, separate conditions, depression can cause or contribute to memory loss, and vice versa. For this reason, seniors should familiarize themselves with both conditions to help them understand and lower their risks of developing either.
So, how exactly does depression cause memory loss? And how does memory loss lead or contribute to depression?
Liberty Court, our senior living community located in the heart of Dixon, IL, the county seat of Lee County, has answered all those questions in this guide. Please read on to discover valuable insights into aging brain health and emotional wellness.
What Is Depression in Older Adults?
Sadness is a normal human emotion that everyone will feel and go through at some point in their lives. Many significant life events can make people sad, and in older adults, it often arises from living alone or grieving a loss.
Sadness often passes with time. If it doesn't, or it causes an older adult to be unable to resume their normal daily functioning, it could already be a sign of depression.
Depression is a psychiatric disorder that affects moods, behaviors, and overall health. According to the National Library of Medicine, for a person to receive a diagnosis of depression, they must experience its signs and symptoms every day (or nearly every day) for two weeks or more.
Depression results in prolonged feelings of:
- Sadness
- Hopelessness
- Emptiness
- Disinterest, especially in activities one once enjoyed
People with depression may also experience appetite changes, such as not eating enough (undernutrition) or overeating (overnutrition). They may also have sleep-related problems, such as inability to sleep or sleeping too much.
How Does Depression Cause Memory Loss?
There are several ways in which depression can cause memory loss, one of which is by inducing brain fog, according to Healthline. It's a cognitive dysfunction that can cause various signs and symptoms, such as:
- Memory issues, like being unable to recall where one put their things or having trouble remembering what they wanted to do
- Difficulties with executive functioning, including multi-tasking and decision-making
- Slowed reaction times, for instance, taking longer to finish chores or tasks
- Problems with attention, such as struggling to complete sentences and thoughts, and following conversations
According to a Medical News Today article, recent research has also discovered connections showing that depression and memory loss aggravate each other. For example, in people with depression, memory loss tends to be worse, and in those with memory loss, depressive symptoms are also worse. Furthermore, individuals with depressive symptoms show accelerated memory loss.
The study's authors state that the connection between memory and mood has to do with a reduction in the brain's frontal lobe activity, something that occurs in people with depression. The brain also shows decreased functioning in terms of working memory. All these help explain how and why depression can cause memory loss and vice versa.
Tips for Optimal Senior Mental Health and Cognitive Care
While not all cases of depression and memory loss are preventable, many strategies and tools exist to help seniors in Dixon, IL, minimize their risks of developing either. At the very least, these methods and resources can help them better control and manage the symptoms of their condition.
Remember That You're Not Alone
Having depression, memory loss, or both makes older adults more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness. The problem is that withdrawing from life and not staying connected with others can only worsen the symptoms of both conditions.
The U.S. CDC says that people who experience loneliness and social isolation have an increased risk of developing:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dementia
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
Given those detrimental effects, older adults should never underestimate the power of socialization. Staying social enhances senior mental health and stimulates cognitive functions.
So, please remember that you're not alone. Family, friends, and neighbors are surely happy to connect and chat with you.
Area seniors can also count on the following platforms for help when they feel lonely or depressed:
- The Institute on Aging's Friendship Line, providing 24-hour, toll-free support via 1-888-670-1360
- The Samaritans HelpLine, offering round-the-clock support through phone or text via 988
- The Crisis Text Line, which seniors can access by texting "CONNECT" to 741741 for free and confidential support
Liberty Court, our warm and loving assisted living and memory care community in Dixon, IL, is also here for you. Here, you'll never be or feel alone. We prioritize and encourage socialization through our numerous daily activities and programs, quality dining, and attentive, round-the-clock support and care.
Care for a Pet
Pets are undoubtedly some of the greatest joys people can ever have. After all, they bring affection, companionship, entertainment, and unconditional love. Moreover, the American Psychiatric Association says that scientific studies prove that pets bring many benefits to older adults, including:
- Improving socialization
- Promoting increased physical activity
- Slowing cognitive decline
- Safeguarding cognitive health
At Liberty Court, we're pet lovers. We also know how invaluable they are to older adults' physical, emotional, mental, and cognitive well-being. As such, we allow our residents to bring their furry family members and live with them in our beautiful and welcoming assisted living and memory care enclaves.
Combat Depression and Memory Loss
And there you have it: The comprehensive guide answering the question, "How does depression cause memory loss?" You also learned that both conditions are common and can worsen each other. The good news is that, although they're prevalent, seniors have many tools and resources to help them lower their risks.
Liberty Court, our premier pet-friendly senior living community, offers exceptional, high-quality amenities, attentive services, and tailored support to older adults seeking assisted living and memory care in Dixon, IL. There's something fun, engaging, and stimulating happening here every day, and we'd love for you to join us and be part of our growing family that prioritizes aging gracefully and happily.
Speak with us today to schedule a tour of our community!