www.phs.org/Medicare 9 Depression later in life: Don’t stay silent Depression can happen to any of us as we age. And it can have many causes. It might be brought on by the loss of a loved one or other life changes. It may run in your family. Sometimes, it goes hand in hand with an illness. The side effects of medicines can play a role in depression too. Whatever its cause, depression is never a normal part of aging. It’s a medical condition that can be treated — the sooner, the better. Could you be depressed? Depression isn’t something you can just snap out of. Most people need treatment to feel better. It’s good to know the signs. You might be depressed if you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks: • A sad or empty mood • Feeling hopeless, guilty, or worthless •Loss of interest in things that once gave you pleasure • Frequent crying Still, depression in older adults can look different than in younger ones. Late in life, people with depression may be more likely to: • Feel tired •Feel irritable •Have trouble sleeping •Have health problems, such as worsening headaches • Have a hard time focusing •Be confused Reach out If there’s any chance you’re depressed, tell your provider. Your provider will want to rule out certain diseases and medicines that can cause the same symptoms. If you are depressed, treatment can help you feel like yourself again. It may include talk therapy, medicine, or both. There may be lifestyle changes that can help too. Early treatment can help keep your depression from getting worse. That’s why it’s so crucial to speak up if you’re struggling. There are better days ahead. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; National Institute on Aging MAKE IT HAPPEN Get screened for colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the U.S. Screening tests for colorectal cancer can save lives — and you have multiple screening tests to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. Types of screening tests Screenings for colorectal cancer can be divided into two main groups: • Stool-based tests • Visual exams Stool-based tests look at your stool for possible signs of polyps — growths that sometimes turn cancerous — or for colorectal cancer itself. You collect samples of your stool that are then sent to a lab for analysis. These tests don’t require the kind of colon preparation needed for a colonoscopy. But you need to do them more often — sometimes every year. Visual exams include a traditional colonoscopy and a virtual colonoscopy. A third visual exam, sigmoidoscopy, isn’t commonly used for screening in the U.S. For a colonoscopy, you’re sedated while a scope is inserted into your rectum and fed through your colon. A doctor uses a camera on the end of the scope to look for precancerous polyps or signs of cancer. A major advantage of a colonoscopy is that a doctor can remove any polyps discovered during this exam. A virtual colonoscopy is an advanced type of CT scan. It can find polyps or cancer. Both types of colonoscopies require you to clean out your colon with a mix of laxatives beforehand. Any abnormalities found on stool-based tests or a virtual colonoscopy require follow-up with a traditional colonoscopy. When should you be screened? People at average risk for colorectal cancer should first be screened at age 45. Regular screenings should be done through age 75. Screening until age 85 should be based on personal preference and risk. If you’re at increased risk, your doctor may suggest you get specific types of tests. You also may need to be tested more often. The most important thing is to get it done. The best test for you is the one you’re most likely to do. So talk with your provider about your risk and the various screenings available. Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute
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