Senior moments of desperation

Depression among the elderly was highlighted in "A Report Into Aged Care", the findings of which were discussed in a public meeting at Masterton Town Hall last week.
The report, published by the Greens, Labour and Grey Power in October, found many older New Zealanders are chronically lonely and this, combined with loss of independence and deteriorating health, can lead to high rates of clinical depression.
Erin Bradley, accredited visiting services co-ordinator for Age Concern, said the issue of depression among older people is as much an issue in Wairarapa as elsewhere in New Zealand.
She has a team of volunteers who visit people over 65 once a week to provide companionship and to help them reconnect in meaningful ways with the community.
She said one of the main reasons older people become isolated was because of physical impairments like losing their driver's licence, hearing and eyesight, as well as because of financial constraints.
"Hearing, in particular, is a huge barrier to social interaction."
Depression can also arise because of bereavements, she said. "Old age is a time of life when people experience the most grief and loss, which is another issue that leads to depression. Often they outlive all their friends and their partner."
Depression did not present itself in older people in the same way as it did in younger people, Erin said.
"Members of the current generation of older people are a proud lot. They tend to box on. They don't want to be seen as not coping. There's a bit of shame attached to it."
The report found staff caring for frail and dependent residents needed appropriate skills and training, but as the level of dependency in aged care increased, the number of trained nurses and staff available to do the looking after had declined.
The shortage of skilled staff was found to be the main reason behind many neglect and abuse stories, including residents being left in bed or in front of television all day, being treated like children instead of "adults with a vast life history and experience", and being treated rudely or unkindly by staff, the report found.
It said it was "astonishing" that no one agency was tasked with ensuring the elderly's safety and well-being.
Instead, several "disconnected agencies" were involved in the provision of care, including the Ministry of Health, District Health Boards, the Health and Disability Commissioner's Office and other organisations.
"A revolution in our whole approach to aged-care services is needed - one that puts the resident at the centre of an individualised care plan," the report said.