Depression affects more than 6.5 million of the 35 million
Americans aged 65 years or older. Most people in this stage of
life with depression have been experiencing episodes of the
illness during much of their lives. For others, depression has a
first onset in late life—even persons in their 80s and 90s.
Depression in older persons is closely associated with
dependency and disability and causes great suffering for the
individual and the family. Depression in elderly people often
goes untreated because many people think that depression is a
normal part of aging and a natural reaction to chronic illness,
loss and social transition. Elderly people do face noteworthy
challenges to their connections through loss and also face
medical vulnerability and mortality. For the elderly population
depression can come in different sizes and shapes. Many elderly
people and their families don't recognize the symptoms of
depression, aren't aware that it is a medical illness and don't
know how it is treated. Others may mistake