Amsterdam UMC research shows that one in five people over 75 years old has depressive symptoms. Among women, it is even a one in four. Geriatric psychiatrists believe the group is even larger. The complaints are caused by such things as loneliness, loss of loved ones and physical illnesses.
APH researcher Didi Rhebergen (senior researcher and psychiatrist at Amsterdam UMC, GGZ ingeest) talked about this problem in the NOS Radio 1 Journaal on November 2, 2022. Because the elderly are living at home longer, healthcare professionals usually fail to notice problems. And even in nursing homes, psychiatric problems are not always recognized and additional help is called in late.
Rhebergen explains that depression looks different in the elderly. For example, they more often express physical complaints or sleep problems. "For patients themselves it is very unpleasant, but also for informal caregivers. It makes you very powerless when you see that your parent or spouse is suffering, but it is unclear what is going on," says Rhebergen.
Listen to the radio interview (in Dutch) here.
Or read the full article (in Dutch) from the NOS or het Algemeen Dagblad.