Northwestern University conducted a study spanning a 10 year period researching the link between depression and adult Type 2 diabetes. They studied 4,681 men and women 65 and older from North Carolina, Sacramento County, Maryland, and Pittsburgh, PA. To arrive at true results, they factored out known lifestyle causes of diabetes such as body mass index, (measure of height versus weight), and lack of exercise.
“We know that being overweight and obesity are the primary risk factors for diabetes and most people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese,” said Mercedes Carnethon, lead author of the study and assistant professor of preventative medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
“But even after we adjusted for [statistically accounted for] body mass index, we still saw a residual association between depression and diabetes.
It is commonly known that loss of independence as the result of financial difficulties is a major cause for depression in people of all ages. It is also well known that stress has a dramatic affect on the body’s immune system.
I’m not going to tell you that reverse mortgages can prevent diabetes or other illnesses. That would be ridiculous. However, I will say that keeping seniors financially healthy and independent can benefit one’s emotional health and stability. However, there can be many key factors which may trigger depression.
Here are some red flags:
- Sadness
- Fatigue
- Abandoning or losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable pastimes
- Social withdrawal and isolation (reluctance to be with friends, engage in activities, or leave home)
- Weight loss; loss of appetite
- Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, oversleeping, or daytime sleepiness)
- Loss of self-worth (worries about being a burden, feelings of worthlessness, self-loathing)
- Increased use of alcohol or other drugs
- Fixation on death; suicidal thoughts or attempts
Keep an eye on that special senior in your life. Let them know you love them. Spend time with them and value them. And please, keep these red flags in mind.
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