Overview

Depression in older adults can often be more severe and more resistant to treatment than in younger patients.

Older people may also have co-morbid physical health conditions (including dementia), more disability and be more isolated, with many more medications on repeat prescription, some of which may have depression as a side-effect.

Retirement and income poverty can exacerbate symptoms of depression, with suicide in older adults a known fact.

Treatment for depression is as for younger adults with a combination of a thorough history, examination and judicious psychopharmacology and supportive measures.