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Is depression a normal part of ageing?

A study by Deakin University's School of Psychology found that almost 17% of residents in low-level aged care facilities who were mildly or moderately cognitively impaired suffered clinical depression. But less than half of these cases had been detected or treated.

Deakin Professor of Psychology Marita McCabe said there was a general view that anyone who was in a nursing home would be depressed.

"There is a myth that depression is a normal part of ageing, but it isn't," she said.

"Just because a person is getting older and they are in a nursing home, doesn't mean they are going to be depressed."

The full story can be found here.

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Comments

she_be_cool said:	22/09/2008 4:51:20 PM
These statistics are so sad! Depression in old age should not be accepted as normal everyone should be able to retire happily and enjoy the last years of their life. More needs to be done to ensure patients in nursing homes are enjoying a good quality of life, rather than feeling miserable!

kangy32 said:	25/09/2008 9:13:08 PM
yes I fully agree with the comments above, there is no reason for depression to effect anybody and especially those who should be enjoying their last years

medic_11 said:

24/10/2008 12:45:08 PM

Change affects everyone whether they like it or not, and one if the reasons elderly people suffer from such high incidents of depression is that they don't want change. (Especially if you know the change will eventually end your life) Aging is a progressive change we have no control over. People fear what they can't control, fear leads to sadness. I don't think it is okay that there is such a high incidence of depressed elderly people, but at least it is understandable while they feel that way. What is more alarming is the amount of depressed _young_ people with their entire lives ahead of them, and no hope for the future.