Elders and depression
The idea that older people are supposed to be depressed is wrong. Normally, old people should be able to enjoy what life they have left, their retirement; they should be relaxed, happy, and satisfied with their life. Yet, in some cases, if depression develops, it should be admitted as a normal part of aging. Undiagnosed and untreated depression in elders will produce needless sufferance for the individual and for his family. However, when an old person is brought to the doctor, most symptoms he or she will describe will be physical because they will find it hard to talk about emotional problems or eventual unhealthy feelings they have. Due to this undesired situation, many health care professionals are trying to discover links between the described physical symptoms and a latent depression. Depression can be caused by some treatments the patient is taking for a condition he or she is suffering from, or may be directly connected to some condition. A depressed old person can be helped to overcome the problem through simple psychotherapy (talk therapy), which is proved to be very efficient, and live a more fulfilling and happy life, if diagnosed in time. This kind of therapy is helpful both for those who take medication and for those who will not or can not take medication for depression.
When applied, the late life proved treatment of psychotherapy, will help improve the life of the elderly person, the caretaker's and the family's.