Depression, 20% Among Those Over 60... Needs to Be Addressed Through Connection and Empathy [Senior Trend]

Eboram, CEO of Third Age

Recently, many people have been expressing feelings of depression and frustration amid political turmoil. The new book Anxiety Society also points out that relentless competition, performance obsession, and deepening distrust in the system characterize modern society. Consequently, individual isolation and anxiety increase. Frustration is defined as "a feeling or mood of losing confidence due to plans or will being thwarted," while depression refers to "a state of overall mental function decline, including mood lowering, thought patterns or flow, motivation, will, interest, behavior, sleep, and physical activity." The recent circumstances that have triggered collective societal depression might instead serve as an opportunity to reconsider mental health. Perhaps it is precisely when positivity and brightness toward life are most desperately needed that constructive alternatives will emerge. According to 2022 statistics from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, over one million people in South Korea have already received treatment for depression. In 2022, medical expenses amounted to 537.8 billion KRW. Although the proportions vary yearly, more than 20% of depression cases occur among seniors aged 60 and above. For the younger generation, unemployment is often the cause, while for seniors, it is frequently a sense of loss.

Until now, the most frequently mentioned word in Korean senior issues and trends has been "economic power," that is, money. South Korea has ranked first in "elderly poverty rate" among OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries for several years, and many retirees harbor anxiety about finances. This is due to economic difficulties such as early retirement, employment exclusion, or insufficient public pensions. Following economic power, concerns about "health" and "(human) relationships" have also arisen, but topics related to mental health have been rare. However, senior depression is an issue that cannot be overlooked. First, the numbers are not insignificant. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 260 million people worldwide suffer from depression. As life expectancy increases, depression among the elderly is also rising sharply. It is a significant subject in case studies and research papers on seniors in Europe, the United States, and Japan. There has been so little appropriate response that surveys have shown that watching TV is the only way for the elderly to overcome loneliness. Governments, especially in developed countries, are creating comprehensive measures. One example is the United Kingdom establishing the "Ministry of Loneliness" in 2018 to address loneliness among vulnerable groups. They viewed mental illnesses such as depression, loneliness, and anger not as individual problems but as social issues. This is an attempt for the government and local communities to jointly take responsibility and create a "strategy for a connected society."

Diagnosing senior depression is not much different from diagnosing depression in younger people. It occurs when symptoms such as persistent lethargy, loss of interest, insomnia, or excessive sleep last for more than two weeks and interfere with daily life. However, among seniors, especially the oldest-old, physical symptoms such as headaches, chest heat and tightness, and generalized pain are more pronounced, and pseudo-dementia with frequent memory lapses is common. Needless to say, identifying the causes is necessary for preventing and alleviating depression. Broadly speaking, financial anxiety after retirement contributes to senior depression, but increased loneliness plays a larger role. Social isolation begins due to retirement, loss of family or friends, bereavement, and reduced mobility. Technological advances also pose limitations. Rather than using technology to create more connections, seniors often become alienated or have fewer face-to-face interactions due to technology. Additionally, chronic illnesses and reduced mobility in daily life can cause physical health problems to translate into mental health issues. When cognitive decline begins, social withdrawal worsens feelings of isolation and depression.

Various technologies and policies to overcome senior depression are being implemented worldwide. First, digital healthcare connects seniors more easily with professionals through remote counseling and mental health management apps. Convenient platforms are also provided to enable seniors to connect with friends or family via social media or online, promoting interaction. Many countries have established community programs for seniors involving sports, hobbies, and other activities to provide opportunities for socializing. Mental health education programs targeting seniors and their families help recognize and cope with signs of depression. Recently, the Korean government has increased investment in mental health policies and care services by utilizing mental health centers, dementia safety centers, and senior welfare centers. Efforts are being made to support daily life and prevention stages through AI speakers or robots for seniors living alone.

Simple actions we can take ourselves include getting enough sunlight, taking walks, and managing lifestyle habits such as half-body baths to ensure restful sleep. There is also a need to restore hospitality and community. Last week, Jang Dong-seon, CEO of the Curious Brain Research Institute, introduced research in a lecture titled "The Future of the AI Era from a Neuroscientist's Perspective," showing that our brain's empathy ability is deteriorating. Due to influences such as AI algorithms, people tend to distance themselves from those with different opinions, increasing conflicts between generations, classes, and genders, and gradually causing misunderstandings, disregard, anger, resentment, and sadness toward others. He emphasized that true superpower is the ability to empathize and urged us to keep in mind when our brains become healthy and happy through empathy and solidarity. Listening to and empathizing with others, even those with different views, and connecting with them not only helps prevent dementia and depression but also affects happiness and creativity. Is that something we should not do? The Korean people have traditionally been Hongik Ingan, a nation of empathy.

Lee Boram, CEO of Third Age