Late life depression: a global problem with few resources.
Mental health disorders in terms of an aging population are discussed in this review. Statistics on depression in later life are presented with a discussion of physical health comorbidities. This presentation postulates that the health care infrastructure currently in place is inadequate to meet the present, much less the future, needs of this population. The care of the depressed elder will require the coordinated effort of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners and advanced practice psychiatric nurses, internal medicine gerontologists, internal medicine and family medicine general physicians, community agencies, and volunteers.
Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, 997 St. Sebastian Way, Augusta, GA 30909, USA. Electronic address: wmccall@gru.edu.
W Vaughn
WV
McCall
Kristina W
KW
Kintziger
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014943:Global Health / Q000639:trends*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000639:trends; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends; D011157:Population Dynamics / Q000639:trends*
Aging population; Depressive symptoms; Health care resources; Late life depression