Chronic conditions such as depression and chronic pain are more common than one may think. While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. This is chronic depression. Others may have pain that does not diminish or regularly returns which is defined as chronic pain. According to the CDC “more than a quarter of all Americans and two of three older Americans have multiple chronic conditions” (CDC, 2013, p. 6). These chronic conditions place older adults at risk.
Depression is more than just a low mood – it’s a serious condition that has an impact on both physical and mental health. The precise
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al. “national and international studies show that the prevalence of chronic pain among elderly people of the community ranges from 29.7% to 89.9%”. Chronic pain is very complex and may be caused by a number of factors. It may occur alongside conditions such as arthritis, diabetes or fibromyalgia. It may occur after an injury or trauma to the body has healed. And in some cases the cause is not known. Chronic pain is associated with changes to the nervous system (the nerves, spinal cord and brain). Throughout our lives our nervous system changes and adapts to help us learn from and deal with different experiences. This is called neuroplasticity. However, sometimes this normal process of adapting and changing becomes abnormal. It is no longer helpful. Chronic pain is an example of this. Some changes to the nervous system affect the way the brain understands the information it receives about pain, and things such as touch or movement. In such circumstances, everyday activities that should not cause pain may cause pain. Pain may be worsened by staying in one position for short periods. The affected area may be tender to light pressure, and at times to very light touch. Often this pain can spread to nearby areas or to the opposite part of the body. This is often referred to as ‘central