Depression in the Elderly »
How Does Depression in the Elderly Differ from Depression in Younger People?
Depression in later life frequently coexists with other medical illnesses
and disabilities. In addition, advancing age is often accompanied by loss of
key social support systems due to the death of a spouse or siblings, retirement
and/or relocation of residence. Because of their change in circumstances and
the fact that they're expected to slow down, doctors and family may miss the
diagnosis of depression in elderly people, delaying effective treatment. As a
result, many seniors find themselves having to cope with
symptoms that could otherwise be easily treated.
Depression tends to last longer in elderly adults. It also doubles their
risk to develop cardiac diseases and increases their risk of death from
illness, while reducing their ability to rehabilitate. Studies of nursing home
patients with physical illnesses have shown that the presence of depression
substantially in...
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