Depression and Aging

Depression is not a normal part of growing older

Depression is a true medical condition that is treatable, like diabetes or hypertension.

• It is not just having "the blues" or the emotions we feel when grieving the loss of a loved one.

Although depression is not a normal part of aging, older adults often experience challenges related to health or changes in life circumstances. This may put them at increased risk for depression.

• Approximately 4% of older adults aged 70 and over have depression.1

Symptoms of depression

This is a list of common symptoms of depression. People experience depression differently, so there may be symptoms that are not on this list:2

• Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless often or all the time.
• Not wanting to do activities that used to be fun.
• Weight gain or loss, or changes in appetite.
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or sleeping too much.
• Feeling irritable, easily frustrated, or restless.
• Lack of energy or feeling tired.
• Feeling worthless or overly guilty.
• Trouble concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions.
• Thinking about suicide or hurting yourself.

Older adults and depression

Depression is more common in:

• People who have medical conditions like heart disease or cancer.
• People whose daily functioning becomes limited.
• People with sleep problems.

Older adults often don't get the care they need for mental health

Older adults often do not seek help for depression.3

• They may think their symptoms are a normal part of getting older.
• They may feel stigma or shame about feeling depressed.
• They may not understand that they could feel better with the right treatment.

Older adults may also face barriers to treatment, including:

• Difficulty getting care because of costs, problems with transportation, or a lack of mental health services.
• Healthcare professionals may not adequately diagnose or treat depression in older adults.
  • They may confuse the symptoms with physical illness, leading to underdiagnosis.
  • They may not be trained to provide appropriate screening or treatment for mental health in older adults.

What you can do

The good news is that depression only affects a small proportion of older adults. And it is treatable.

Treatment Works

Effective treatments are available, including:

• Medication for depression.
• Psychotherapy.
• A combination of both.

Most older adults see an improvement in their symptoms when treated.

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please get help immediately. Options include:

• If you are suicidal or in emotional distress, call or text the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 to talk to a trained counselor. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org.
• In life-threatening situations, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Learn more about the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Resources