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If elderly people experience depression, reluctance to move, or changes in appetite, it could be depression or dementia. Both have similar initial symptoms and require prompt evaluation by professional medical personnel.
Why do elderly people suffer from depression, loss of appetite or reluctance to walk?Depression stilldementia Experts said that although the initial symptoms of both are similar and easily missed by family members, there are important differences. People with dementia have “forgotten what to do”, such as having eaten breakfast but not remembering eating it; People with depression “don’t want to do it”. Even if they remember what they have to do, they are unable to get motivated due to lack of motivation. If abnormalities are found in an elderly person, they should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible to avoid delay in treatment.
Ye Yaxin, executive advisor of the Tung Foundation Mental Health Center, said that the early symptoms of depression and dementia in the elderly are similar to each other, such as not being able to think, being reluctant to move, feeling sad, and even having thoughts about death. It is difficult to judge based only on external manifestations. Dementia is primarily an impairment of cognitive function, which may gradually worsen with brain damage. Most types of dementia are currently difficult to reverse, but treatment can slow the progression of symptoms. Depression can cause patients to lose their basic life functions due to poor mood and lack of motivation. However, after proper treatment, there is still a chance to resume daily activities.
Ye Yaxin said that if the elderly has already had breakfast in the morning, but repeatedly says that the family has not cooked, or even repeatedly asks for breakfast, it may be a problem with memory or cognitive function; But if the elderly clearly remembers that he should eat, but does not want to eat because of bad mood and lack of motivation, it may be related to depression. Both still cannot be judged based on one symptom and must be further evaluated by professional medical personnel.
Ye Yaxin reminded that whether it is dementia or depression, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Dementia can be helped to slow its decline through treatment, while depression can improve symptoms through medications and related treatments, helping patients regain their motivation for life. For example, if they originally did not want to cook or do housework, after treatment they may gradually regain their desire and ability.
Summary FAQ
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Because depression and dementia often present similar symptoms in the early stages, such as depression, reluctance to move, thinking less and even thoughts of death, it is difficult to differentiate just by looking at outward behavior and must be confirmed by professional assessment.
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People with dementia often suffer from cognitive impairments, such as forgetting that they have had breakfast; People with depression know what to do, but they don’t want to do it because of bad mood and lack of motivation. The root causes of both are different.
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If an elderly person is suffering from loss of appetite, reluctance to move, frequently forgetting things or depression, he or she should seek medical help as soon as possible. The medical staff will assess whether he or she is suffering from dementia or depression. Early treatment can slow degeneration and improve function.
