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If you have an illness such as diabetes or heart disease, you are much more likely to have another illness -- depression. Depression in the older population is common, but it is often not diagnosed. Many older people do not know or will not admit to having the signs and symptoms of depression.
Depression is an illness. Depression is not the same as being sad or discouraged. Depression is a real health condition that can affect the person and the whole family.
There are many reasons for depression. For some people, there is a higher chance of getting this illness because there is a family history of depression.
For others, there may be a medical cause for depression or a disease (such as Alzheimer's) that increases your chance for depression.
Major life changes, such as loss of a loved one or other losses that come with aging, can take away one's ability to cope well and this can also lead to depression.
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Signs of depression include:
Feeling helpless or worthless
trouble making decisions
Loss of enjoyment from things that were once enjoyed
Trouble concentrating
Sad, down, feeling "blue", crying
Problems sleeping
Weight loss or gain
Feeling tired, loss of energy
Complaints about aches and pains.
Depression can be treated! The best thing to do is talk with your doctor if you think you might be depressed. Your doctor can help with an assessment to find out what is wrong. A referral to a counselor or a prescription for medicine might be just what you need.
The illness of depression is not something to be embarrassed about. Depression needs to be treated! Depression does not go away by itself. Call your health care provider.
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3 SIMPLE Ways To Choose A Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
You can always talk to a person at 1-800-MEDICARE to get the facts you need. Have the following information ready:
Your zip code,
Your medicines and doses (You can find this information on your pill bottles),
Your total monthly income (To find out if you can get the $600 credit from Medicare to help pay for your prescriptions)
Ask for a free copy of
"Guide to Choosing a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card"
Or
2. Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Get free, confidential help to choose the card that's right for you. That can be a meeting or a phone call with a SHIP representative to help you choose.
Vermont SHIP: 1-800-642-5119
New Hampshire SHIP: 1-800-852-3388
Or
3. Visit www.medicare.gov
Under "search tools", click on "Prescription Drug and other Assistance Programs". For more information, you can download the publication "Guide to Choosing a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card".
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