Depression in Older Adults

Up to 20% of older adults have symptoms of depression and these rates increase up to 40% for those in hospitals and long-term care homes. Depression is not a typical part of aging. There are many ways to treat depression including by improving lifestyle and social supports, counselling, and medication.

Depression is much more than simple unhappiness.

Clinical depression, sometimes called major depression, is a complex mood disorder caused by various factors, including genetic predisposition, personality, stress and brain chemistry. While it can suddenly go into remission, depression is not something that people can “get over” by their own effort.