Recognizing Depression in Dementia Patients: A Comprehensive Approach at Athulya Senior Care
Depression is common in dementia patients, making its detection crucial in the management and care of these individuals. The presence of depression can exacerbate cognitive impairment, decrease the quality of life, and complicate the care process (Vijayakumar, & Dementia, 2015). Recognizing depression in dementia patients is, however, challenging due to overlapping symptoms. This article outlines how to detect depression in dementia patients, with particular attention to the procedures at Athulya Senior Care. Depression and Dementia: Shared and Unique Symptoms Depression and dementia share several symptoms, including apathy, impaired concentration, and disrupted sleep patterns. However, some signs are unique to depression, even in the context of dementia. These include persistent sadness, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal ideation. Additionally, depression often occurs episodically, with symptoms being more intense during depressive episodes, while cognitive impairment