Why is the diagnosis of depression in the elderly often overlooked?

­The primary reason that depression is often overlooked in geriatric patients is that caregivers and physicians neglect the innate connection between the body and the mind. We associate old age with body aches and pains. Arthritis stiffens joints. Teeth wear down. Eyesight weakens. At the same time, the mind suffers from the loss of mobility and independence.

Generally speaking, physical disability is considered an independent risk factor for depression [source: Lenze et al]. As many as 40 percent of stroke victims, for example, will become depressed [source: Shulman]. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, heart disease and other medical conditions have also been strongly linked to geriatric depression [source: Geriatric Mental Health Foundation]. Beyond that, the medications used to treat late onset ailments can also alter brain chemistry and trigger depression.

When we get older, our brains undergo various changes, including a decreased amount of neurotransmitters, smaller cerebral cortex and damaged blood vessels [source: Harvard Medical Letter]. When brain function diminishes, it can lead to a depressive state, which physicians may treat as a cognitive impairment or dementia [source: Chapman and Perry].

For geriatric patients, this interaction between physical and mental health can obscure depression, and only one in six cases of geriatric depression receives adequate attention [source: Rimer]. Rather than directly expressing changes in their mood, the elderly are more likely to report bodily ailments. As a result, doctors may attribute a noticeable increase in irritability or trouble sleeping to symptoms of a physical illness instead of depression. In that case, the patient may receive treatment for the physical problems exclusively.

Failing to treat depression can prolong and intensify medical issues. Depression can slow the body's healing process, worsen symptoms and even cause new illnesses. On the flip side, studies have found that treating depression can improve one's mental and physical health and lessen the chances of injury [source: Pennix et al]. And as long as an elderly person's mentality remains positive, he or she can benefit physically. For instance, people can continue building muscle strength into their 90s [source: Neighmond].

But doctors aren't the only ones who shoulder the blame for underdiagnosed geriatric depression. It can take a community of caregivers, healthcare providers and the patients themselves to recognize and treat the mental illness.

­As the list of age-related physical ailments grows, so does the functional morbidity that elderly patients must live with. Functional morbidity refers to the inability to participate in the daily activities that give someone a sense of purpose and meaning, whether it's driving to the grocery store or cooking dinner [source: Fresh Air]. From there, the likelihood for becoming depressed also increases.

But elderly people may not understand that they're experiencing depression or may be hesitant to discuss it. Depression's negative social stigma may persist in their minds as a sign of weakness or instability. In that case, it's up to someone else in a patient's sphere of care -- including friends, family and healthcare providers -- to comprehend what's going on. However, as functional morbidity intensifies, that network may shrink. The loss of a spouse can be especially devastating, causing severe depression in 10 to 20 percent of widows and widowers as a significant figure is eliminated from their social networks [source: Harvard Medical Letter].

The relationship between caregivers and elderly patients can also play an important role in identifying and alleviating depression. Research estimates that up to half of all nursing home residents suffer from depression [source: Harvard Medical Letter­]. In long-term care scenarios, depression can take on a contagious quality between patients and caregivers, mutually affecting both people [source: Fresh Air]. In that case, a depressed caregiver might not be as quick to recognize depression in a patient.

­Even in professional nursing homes and long-term care facilities, the staff may not include specialists trained to spot signs of geriatric depression. Routine exams with a primary care physician can also miss the mark due to limited time and insufficient attention to mental health. Geriatric specialists, on the other hand, may take a more holistic approach when a patient comes in for a checkup. By inquiring more about an elderly patient's daily routine, outings and interactions, a geriatric specialist can assess his or her overall well-being more accurately [source: Neighmond].

With solid support networks and healthy living environments, many elderly people live out their final years happily. Although the pervasiveness of geriatric depression may be uncomfortable to confront, understanding its epidemiology and pathology in later life benefits everyone. The more steps we take to enrich elder care, the more we can reinforce the mantra that depression isn't a natural part of growing old.