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We want more of us over 65 to get help for depression. The first step is to spot the signs of depression and then get the right treatment. But many people don’t realise when their loneliness or grief has become depression, or know from where or whom to get help.
We have produced some resources that provide information about what depression is, how it can be treated and how to cope. These resources are available to download on this page, below and in the right-hand column.
Your local Age UK or Age Concern provides, or can put you in touch with, a range of support services such as:
For more information, or to find your local Age UK or Age Concern, please call Age UK Advice free on 0800 169 6565.
Spotting the signs of depression (PDF 307.98 KB)If you think you may be depressed, use this leaflet to help start the discussion with your GP.
Discussing depression with your GP (PDF 178.56 KB)The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner the depression will lift, so have a chat with your GP using our helpful tips.
Coping with depression (PDF 185.10 KB)It will take time before depression lifts fully, so be patient and gentle on yourself.
Supporting an older person with depression (PDF 179.81 KB)Useful tips on how best to support your loved one and avoid becoming depressed yourself.
What is depression? (PDF 72.14 KB)If you start to lose interest in the things you enjoy, then it may be a sign of depression.
The causes and effects of depression in later life (PDF 64.20 KB)When depression first occurs later in life, it is more likely to be associated with ill health.
Medication for depression in later life (PDF 65 KB)With the right treatment plan you stand a very good chance of getting better, whatever age you are.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (PDF 70.95 KB)CBT helps to address the behaviour patterns and unhelpful thoughts that occur in depression.
Counselling and psychotherapy (PDF 66.12 KB)Counselling and psychotherapy provide a place for feelings to be talked and thought about.
Interpersonal therapy (PDF 66.85 KB)IPT is a talking therapy in which you explore ways to get what you want from your relationships.
Self help for beating depression and staying well (PDF 93.32 KB). There are a number of steps that you can take to help your recovery from depression.
Thoughts of self harm and suicide (PDF 64.11 KB). Feeling that you have no hope for the future can be frightening, but understanding these thoughts can help you to deal with them.
Downloads
A download is a document (like a research report, a leaflet, or an application form) that can be transferred from our website to your computer. You can download a file, view it on your screen, print it, or save it to your computer.
PDF stands for ‘portable document format’.
Most downloads on this website are PDFs. We use this format to ensure that the document looks the same on everyone’s computer (website pages, by contrast, appear differently depending on how people have set their computer up).
Computers use a program called Adobe Acrobat Reader to download PDFs. If you try clicking on a link to download a PDF and it doesn’t work, you will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader onto your computer.
The process is quite straightforward and is free.
PDFs cannot be changed. If you need to be able to type into a downloaded document (for example, if we are offering a letter template that you need to put your name on) we will provide it as a Microsoft Word document rather than a PDF. You can then download it, type into it and save it to your computer.
Downloads will open on your computer in a new browser window.
Inside this window (below all your web browser menus), there will be a toolbar with options for you to print or save the document.
Close the browser window to return to the Age UK website.
We have made every effort to make our PDFs accessible to screen readers. Here is an overview of your accessibility options available in Acrobat Reader. Please ensure that you have downloaded the latest version of Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Reader website to ensure that they are included in your version of the programme.
You can use Adobe Reader to read a PDF out loud with the following shortcut keys:
You can also convert a PDF into a web page by following these steps:
You can convert a PDF document into a text file for use with other software and hardware such as Braille printers by opening the PDF and choosing ‘Save as text’ from the File menu.
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By working together in local forums, we are making our voices heard on the issues that matter to us in later life, influencing the provision of services locally, regionally and nationally.
Set your location to see what Age UK offers in your local area.
If you think you may be depressed, use this leaflet to help start the discussion with your GP.
The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner the depression will lift, so have a chat with your GP using our helpful tips.
It will take time before depression lifts fully, so be patient and gentle on yourself.
Useful tips on how best to support your loved one and avoid becoming depressed yourself.
If you start to lose interest in the things you enjoy, then it may be a sign of depression.
When depression first occurs later in life, it is more likely to be associated with ill health.
With the right treatment plan you stand a very good chance of getting better, whatever age you are.
CBT helps to address the behaviour patterns and unhelpful thoughts that occur in depression.
Counselling and psychotherapy provide a place for feelings to be talked and thought about.
IPT is a talking therapy in which you explore ways to get what you want from your relationships.
There are a number of steps that you can take to help your recovery from depression.
Feeling that you have no hope for the future can be frightening, but understanding these thoughts can help you to deal with them.
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