Guest Speaker Terezia Farkas, CNN Writer and Best-selling Author, Discusses Elderly Depression and Battling Depression

Terezia Farkas, Best-selling Author at Carewest Beddington, Calgary, AB.

Terezia Farkas. CNN. HuffPost. International Best-selling Author. Writes about dealing with depression.

I was the guest speaker Thursday, April 24 at the Carewest Beddington Comprehensive Care Program (C3) in Calgary, AB. I spoke about elderly depression and what it means to those who are battling depression. My audience was a wonderful group of fifty clients and staff at Carewest Beddington Comprehensive Care Program. Special thanks to Amir Hassanali, fellow author, for inviting me to speak and to Sandra Mooney, site activity convenor for organizing the event. We had some really insightful comments and reflections by the group. 
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Afterwards while signing books, I realized my speech had hit home for several of the elderly clients. Many were battling depression and hiding the fact from their children. It was important for them to talk about their feelings, even to a complete stranger. Some elderly clients were having a tougher time battling depression than their peers. These people talked about trying to find hope even in that deepest of darkness that's depression. Being old didn't mean they were giving up wanting to live! 

Depression isn't limited to any age group. It can affect anyone at anytime. Most of the symptoms are similar across all age groups but there are some slight differences. For instance, elderly people often don't realize they are depressed because the symptoms aren't recognized or are masked by physical pain. Why worry about feelings when your leg has an ulcer, you have a disease, or you have circulatory problems?

The issues elderly people have come from fears and anxieties related to health, family members, housing and independence. Grief also plays a role as many elderly people have lost either a spouse or close loved one. Increased isolation and loneliness adds to fears and anxieties. Having to move into a seniors or nursing home is a big stressor. The illness of a grandchild or child brings the idea 'Why not me instead?' Increasing health problems as the body ages masks depression symptoms until the person is deep into battling depression.

A stunning fact:  suicide is five times more likely to happen in white males over the age of 60.


Terezia Farkas. International Bestselling Author, Huffington Post/ CNN contributor, columnist of Depression Help. Focus is mental health. Her bestseller Heart of Love Evolution – Surviving Depression is available on Amazon. Website:  www.tereziafarkas.com Follow on  Twitter.