Internationale Zeitschrift für psychische Gesundheit und Psychiatrie

Evidence Based Psychotherapies for Late Life Depression

Rajesh R. Tampi

Evidence Based Psychotherapies for Late Life Depression

Late life depression is a term used to describe depression occurring in people older than 65 years of age who have not had a previous history of mood disorder. Late life occurs in approximately 1% to 2% of all community-dwelling elders. In acute care hospitals its prevalence rises to approximately 10% to 12%. Among all nursing home residents, 12% to 14% meet the criteria for a major depressive episode (MDD). Depressive symptoms are much more prevalent in late life with prevalence rates between 30% and 45%.