Depression in elder people is a very common disorder. As there are many strains in that age, they tend to succumb to these feelings easily. There are many life changes in this age and therefore fighting with these changes is very difficult. Some of the major causes for depression is the feeling of loneliness. Some people who are workaholics when they suddenly take retirement even then there is a possibility of getting into depression. Immediate restlessness or when the patient feels low in self confidence, sudden craving for death and ending life are major symptoms of a person being in depression.

Facts About Elderly Depression

There are some hard facts which we have to understand and take them into consideration. By reading the given facts below one can get a clear picture of depression.

• In America there are nearly 6 million people who are above 65 years old and get affected by depression. And only 10% of the depressed elder people get a proper treatment.
• Clinical depression is a type of depression is a type of depression which is observed a lot in elder people. It is caused due to a long term illness carried by the patient. Diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Arthritis, Diabetes, heart disease, cancer etc.
• The chances of elder person in depression committing suicide is more than a younger person in depression. This is because of the mental weakness observed in elder people.
• 19% of the suicides are due to elders people who are n depression.
• The total expenditure on an elderly depressed person is 50% higher tan the total money spent on a normal elder person.