Posted by reichdon on November 9, 2004, at 5:05:22
I am beginning to suspicion that my 88 year old father is mildly depressed. He has reason to be; last May we had to put my mom into an Alzheimer's unit after 65 years of them being together. Dad is extremely lonely and a little guilty that he can't take care of my mom. He is living in the independent area of the same retirement community as my mom's nursing home is in.
Dad says he doesn't feel very hungry lately, doesn't sleep very well, and doesn't seem to enjoy activities he used to like. He also seems to dwell more on the sad things in his life. He can however still crack a joke. Do you think this sounds like depression?
Do you have any suggestions of what antidepressant might work for a man my dad's age?
My mom was pretty anxious acting when she first went into the Alzheimer's unit and first they tried Paxil for her, but she got more confused and too sleepy. Now they have her on a low dose of Lexapro and that seems to have given her back some alertness. She seems pretty happy now. Do you think this might be a good drug for my dad as well?
Thanks for any help you can give.
poster:reichdon
thread:413684
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041108/msgs/413684.html