Aging & Health A to Z
Depression
Latest Research
A Positive Outlook May Help Older Adults Overcome Exhaustion
Researchers studied 4,584 men and women aged 69 years old or older to learn more about exhaustion. They discovered that recovery from exhaustion is likely for people who are positive about their overall health, take few medications, and are not obese or depressed.
In Assisted Living Facilities, Many Older Adults Have Sleep Problems, Which Appear to Contribute to Depression, Lower Quality of Life and Poorer Function
A growing number of older adults who have difficulty living independently, but don't need all the services nursing homes provide, are moving to assisted living facilities (ALFs). Residents of ALFs are usually better able to function and more independent than nursing home residents. But research … more
Older Adults from Ethnic Minority Groups Aren't Necessarily Less Likely to Develop Mental Health Problems Than Other Older Americans
Some research has suggested that adults from ethnic minority groups -- such as Latinos, Asians, and African-Americans -- are less likely to suffer from depression than non-Latino white adults are. But these studies have focused on younger adults, not older people.
Older Women who are Depressed Have Twice the Risk for Developing Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Later in Life
Researchers who studied 6,376 older women for several years learned that those who were depressed at the beginning of the study were more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia later on than women who weren’t depressed.
Physical and Emotional Effects of Childhood Abuse Can Linger Through Late Life
Many studies have found that people who were physically or sexually abused during childhood are more likely to have physical and mental health problems, such as heart disease and depression, as adults.
Recognizing Depression in Older Adults: Not Just an Inevitable Sign of Old Age
Depression in older adults is getting more and more attention from the public, and it should. The proportion of older adults diagnosed with depression nearly doubled, from 3.2 percent to 6.3 percent, across all older persons' demographics, between 1992 to 2005.
Standard Guidelines for Treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease May Not Be Appropriate for Older Adults with Additional Health Problems
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common health problem and a leading cause of death in the United States. It causes shortness of breath, wheezing, and related symptoms.
Though Some Older Adults Don’t Respond to Initial Treatments for Depression, Most Eventually Find Treatment That Works: Trying New Treatments Until You Find the Right One is Essential Research in the Journal of the American Medical Association
Depression is common among older adults, and while it is treatable, about half of older people with depression don’t get relief from the first treatment their healthcare provider prescribes.
Treating Older Adults' Depression Eases Family Caregiver Burden
Caring for an older loved one can be challenging, even burdensome, particularly if he or she is depressed. Caregivers who care for older adults who are depressed are more burdened and have poorer mental and physical health than those who care for elders who are not depressed, research shows.