Depression in older people

Depression in old age is the single most important predictor of suicide and it contributes significantly to the mortality of stroke and cardiovascular diseases. It is a leading cause of disability and prolonged hospital stay. It reduces compliance with medical treatments, reduces the patient's quality of life and is associated with generally increased mortality. The classical symptoms of depression (see Table 1) may be masked by those of other chronic diseases. The cognitive changes of depression are sometimes wrongly ascribed to the 'natural pessimism' of old age