title: Depression in later life: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.
abstract: Depression in elderly persons is widespread, often undiagnosed, and usually untreated. The current system of care is fragmented and inadequate, and staff at residential and other facilities often are ill-equipped to recognize and treat patients with depression. Because there is no reliable diagnostic test, a careful clinical evaluation is essential. Depressive illness in later life should be treated with antidepressants that are appropriate for use in geriatric patients. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, including consideration of electroconvulsive treatment in some cases, is important. The overall long-term prognosis for elderly depressed patients is good.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph's Healthcare System, Inc., Paterson, New Jersey, USA. birrerr@sjhmc.org
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Birrer
authors.forename: Sathya P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Vemuri
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011580:Psychological Techniques; D011581:Psychological Tests
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents