Depression in the elderly

EBM Guidelines
Jan 23, 2024 • Completely updated
Tiina Talaslahti

Table of contents

Extract

  • Depression in the elderly is an often underdiagnosed and undermanaged illness. Even advanced age is not a hindrance for recovery.
  • Depression in the elderly is most often treated by a combination of psychosocial methods and medication. To improve the patient’s quality of life, their near ones should be considered in treatment and sufficient support should be arranged for the daily life.
  • Difficulties in adjusting to changes associated with physical ageing and disease often essentially predispose a person to depression. Acute life events such as loss of a spouse or another near family member or moving house are also common precipitating factors.

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Aged, Antidepressive Agents, Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic, Anxiety, Citalopram, Dementia, Depression, F32, F33, F34.1, Geriatrics, Glaucoma, Hypotension, Orthostatic, Mianserin, Paroxetine, Psychiatry, Urinary Retention, apathetic depression, paranoid depression, serotonin antagonists, suicidality, tendency to fall, venlafaxine