By Meghan Hendricksen

UMass Boston professor Sylvia Mignon believes depression in older adults is a serious but treatable public health problem that hasn’t received an adequate response from medical professionals.

Mignon, a professor of Human Services, says symptoms of depression among seniors can differ from those of younger adults and be related to cognitive changes, physical health problems and limited social interaction. She presented her research and recommendations on elder depression to an audience at the March 20 Spring Speakers Series event hosted by the Gerontology Department at the McCormack Graduate School.

Mignon says the medical field does not prioritize the older adult population’s mental health. In her recent article in the Annals of Psychiatry and Mental Health, she outlines the public health impact of not property diagnosing, treating or screening for depression in older adults.

She also offered eight specific recommendations as an approach to addressing the issue:

• Increase the use of depression screening in physician offices and emergency rooms.
• Encourage appropriate referrals to mental health professionals.
• Evaluate older adults for appropriate use of anti-depression medication or other treatment.
• Regularly evaluate medication to be sure they are needed and prescribed in the appropriate dosage.
• Encourage older adults to participate in educational and social activities as a precursor to medication.
• Local Senior Centers should offer individual and group support for family members caring for older adults with depression and other problems.
• Encourage older adults to be physically active in exercise or balance programs such as tai chi, yoga, Zumba for gold seniors.
• Refer clients to certified yoga therapists who can work with older adults to reduce depression through yoga practices such as breath work and meditation.