The following factors influence depression in old age:
- Aging process – the altered brain metabolism favors depression.
- Drastic, stressful experiences – serious illness, financial problems, deaths, etc.
- Loneliness
- Depression as a concomitant disease, for example in dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Micronutrient deficiency – a too low serum concentration of vitamin B12 and folic acid.
- Continuous medication – some medications can increase the risk of depression
Note: Depressive disorders are often unrecognized and untreated or inadequately treated in older people.
