Depression in the elderly

You can develop depression at any age but the risk is slightly higher for women aged between 40 and 50. Unfortunately the risk of having more than one bout of depression increases with age. It is important to note that depression is also common among young adults in the 18-24 year age group.

The course of depression is often more serious in the elderly. Depression in the elderly is often triggered by and combined with physical disease such as the common cold. Other more severe diseases like cancer or cardiovascular disease may also trigger a depressive episode. Small changes in daily life, or greater strains such as bereavement, hospitalization, change of accommodation or placement in a nursing home may also precipitate depression.
In the elderly, it isn't necessarily the sadness and a depressed mood that are the most prominent symptoms of their depression. Instead it may be tiredness, anxiety, irritability and a reduction in usual ‘zest for life’.

Elderly people with depression often complain about the same problems again and again. It may be issues about their health or about things that others regard as trivial matters. Depression in the elderly is thus often missed because people around them may regard them as being silly or neurotic.

Some of the symptoms of depression such as impairments in memory and concentration. May result in the disorder being misdiagnosed or mistaken for dementia.