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Only 38% see depression as a health problem.
Depression is still mostly a “hidden” disease, as cancer used to be. In spite of more publicity about the condition in the past few years, and more and better drug therapies, only 38% of Americans age 65 and older believe that clinical depression (depression that continues for months on end) is a major health problem (see chart). Older adults who suffer from clinical depression are in fact more likely than younger adults to want to “handle” it themselves. During any one-year period, 10% of Americans suffer from depression.
Costly Disease
Americans spend $150 billion a year for treatment that includes costs of hospitalization and drugs. Depressed seniors have 50% higher healthcare costs than nondepressed seniors.
Depression and Seniors
Symptoms of depression occur in 15% of people past age 65 who live at home. Clinical depression strikes three of every 100 seniors, and twice as many women as men are diagnosed with the condition. Unfortunately, almost 70% of seniors know little or nothing about depression, its causes and treatment options.
The incidence of major or minor depression among seniors ranges from 5% in primary care clinics to 25% in nursing homes. About 13% of nursing home residents develop a new episode of major depression over a one-year period.
Suicide is a major issue. Elderly white men are at highest risk of committing suicide — those with severe, untreated depression have a suicide rate as high as 15%. For seniors who live at home, compliance with treatment is a major issue. It is estimated that 70% of patients take only 25% to 50% of their prescribed medication.
Another serious problem is recurrence of symptoms. Up to 40% of all sufferers experience recurrent depression. Antidepressant medication should be maintained for six months after remission from a first episode and 12 months or longer after a second or third episode.