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Dementia

What is the connection between dementia and depression?

Kim Trevey on Feb 13, 2023
How fast does Alzehimer's progress - Bader House Georgetown and Plano
Table of Contents
  1. Does depression cause dementia?
  2. How do you know if it’s depression or dementia?
  3. How to treat depression
  4. How to treat depression in someone who has dementia

Symptoms of depression and symptoms of dementia can appear similar in older adults. Withdrawal, difficulty with memory, and mood swings can be signs of depression or dementia or both.

This makes self-diagnosis or trying to diagnose your family member incredibly difficult. Do they have a mood disorder or are they suffering from cognitive decline? Only a doctor can tell you for sure, but understanding the connection between dementia and depression is helpful when looking out for early signs of dementia.

Does depression cause dementia?

In studies conducted over the past decade, a strong connection has been made between depression and risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to note that increased risk is not a cause, but it is a significant association worth paying attention to.

According to this analysis, “6 studies found evidence supporting that late-life depression was associated with a 2 to 5-fold increased risk of dementia.” The same analysis concluded that when it comes to having depression earlier in life, the link seems to be even stronger: “…earlier life or early onset of depression is significantly associated with risk of developing dementia.”

The exact reason for this increased dementia risk due to depression is unknown. It could be that depression changes the brain on a structural level, making it more susceptible to dementia later in life, as this neuropsychologist suggests. Or, as this epidemiologist suggests, the risk increase could be due to reduced blood flow in the brain caused by cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease and depression are often linked.

Cardiovascular - blood flow
How fast does Alzehimer's progress - Bader House Georgetown and Plano

Whatever it is, enough studies and research have been done to suggest having depression early or later in life can increase your risk for dementia.

How do you know if it’s depression or dementia?

As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, the symptoms of depression and dementia can overlap, making each of them difficult to diagnose in an older adult. But, as the UK Alzheimer’s Association points out, there are key differences between dementia and depression to help you distinguish what is what:

Symptoms of Dementia
  • Depression develops more quickly than dementia, over the course of a few weeks or months—while dementia develops over several years.
  • People with dementia can struggle with things like speech and their orientation in time and space. These are not symptoms of depression. 
  • Memory loss for someone with dementia is permanent while memory loss for someone with depression is temporary. Someone with depression can typically remember something if prompted while someone with dementia does not have access to certain areas of their memory due to the disease.

How to treat depression

Because the link between depression and dementia continues to strengthen with research and studies, treating depression in early, mid-, or late life is crucial.

First, if your depression is severe and you are having suicidal thoughts, dial 988. This suicide prevention hotline will connect you with someone who can help.

Most depression is treated either with medication like antidepressants or through alternative routes like talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Most experts agree that the best results come from a combination of medication and therapy. Medication helps your brain get back to producing a healthy level of serotonin and therapy helps uncover the root issue of your depression so you have longer-term success.  

Exercise, a diet of nutrient-dense food and good sleep have also been proven to help those who are suffering from depression.

How to treat depression in someone who has dementia

Treating depression in someone who has dementia can be difficult. Their depression may look different than in someone who does not have cognitive decline, and they may not be able to communicate their symptoms if their disease is progressed, and they are having trouble communicating or feel confused often.

Still, professionals stress that depression in someone with dementia needs to be aggressively treated as depression can worsen the symptoms of dementia.

Depression in someone with dementia can be treated in a similar way as those who have depression but do not have dementia, but the approach should be adjusted based on the dementia-related needs. This study suggests the following treatment strategies for depression in someone who is living with dementia:

  • Provide extra support in the exercise of daily activities such as shopping, cooking and chores. These can be especially hard to complete for someone with dementia while they’re having a depressive episode.
  • Encourage a positive mindset.
  • Try cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy, as long as the person with dementia is in the early stages. It is more difficult for someone with progressed dementia to participate in therapy.
  • Employ a supportive community.
  • Antidepressants tend to be less effective in those who are living with dementia. Instead, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor may be a more effective drug, but side effects like insomnia must be taken into consideration.

Exercise, proper nutrition, sleep and social engagement are always recommended for those who are living with dementia as they can help slow the progression of the disease. These lifestyle habits are especially crucial for those who have dementia and depression. While they aren’t a cure, they promote healthy habits that support blood flow, emotional health and brain health.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of depression that you suspect could be related to dementia, call your doctor as soon as possible. A medical professional can make a proper diagnosis or point you to someone who can. Depression and dementia are nuanced, separate but also connected illnesses that need to be treated with care. Getting the right diagnosis will ensure you get the care you need.

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Covid Information

Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19


Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

 

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at Bader House!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol

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