LATE-LIFE DEPRESSION - WHEN AND HOW TO INTERVENE

Late-life depression ranges from mild to severe and can lead to signif icant physical and social limitations. Up to one-third of patients wit h medical disorders also suffer from depressive symptoms. Differential diagnosis of depression is often confounded by medical conditions tha t impair cognitive functioning, such as Alzheimer's disease and vascul ar dementia. Depression is a modifiable risk factor for suicide in old age. Once diagnosed, depression is a highly treatable disease. Treatm ent modalities include psychotherapy, antidepressants, and electroconv ulsive therapy for intractable cases. Many patients are now being trea ted in primary care settings, due to managed care limits on referrals and to patient reluctance to seek psychiatric care.