The initial symptoms of dementia can look similar to those of depression, so it’s easy to confuse the two, or not notice when someone is suffering from both conditions. If you’re concerned about your loved one, you’ll need to know whether they require mental health care, dementia care, or a hybrid treatment plan. While a medical professional will make a full assessment, the steps below may help you determine what your loved one needs.

How to Differentiate Between Depression & Dementia

1. Assess Severity

Some common dementia symptoms that overlap with depression include loss of interest in hobbies, declining initiative, and changes in mood, personality and behavior. These symptoms generally won’t be as severe in someone who only need dementia care. They’re less likely to talk about suicide or suffer from prolonged periods of extreme sadness. They may not experience the same loss of appetite or withdrawal from their families. They’re also less prone to crying for no apparent reason. 

2. Evaluate Continuity

The consistency of symptoms is another factor to consider. Dementia patients may experience their symptoms in waves, meaning they’ll come and go quickly. A mood disorder like depression will be more constant, with symptoms that endure with little change for weeks or months.

3. Check for Memory Impairments

The most significant difference between the two conditions is the impact on memory. Depression can affect concentration and cause absent-mindedness, but not to the same degree as dementia. Dementia patients often misplace items, express confusion and disorientation about time and place, have trouble performing basic tasks, or even fail to recognize close friends and family. If your loved one experiences these problems, they may need dementia care. 

When a loved one is afflicted with Alzheimer’s or dementia, the staff at BeeHive Homes of Kalispell will take care of them. This warm and inviting facility provides around-the-clock dementia care for patients in Kalispell, MT. Offering private rooms, nourishing meals, daily services, and community activities, the staff at this nursing home has designed an environment that provides residents with the best possible quality of life. Contact the retirement home online or at (406) 871-8667 for more information.