My mother is having a difficult time with depression. The Dr. is changing her meds in hopes that this will help. Is this a problem with dementia patients?
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Q: Depression in persons with dementia, meds.
Answers (1)
7/30/09 3:36pm
Hi, LMyers,
Depression can be an issue with dementia patients (as well as others with chronic diseases), but logic that a person is depressed about having dementia can be faulty. In the book, The 36-Hour Day, Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins noted, "...not all people with Alzheimer's disease or other chronic illnesses are depressed. Some seem not be aware of their problems."
Mace and Rabins suggest the following to help a loved one who has both dementia and depression:
- Encourage the loved one to be around people.
- Make sure that any activities that the loved one does are ones that he or she can still do successfully and are of use, which can help the loved one feel successful and positive about themselves.
- Help the loved one avoid tasks that are too complicated.
Take care and keep us posted!
Dorian
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