Geriatric Depression
- Causes and Risk Factors
Biological, social and psychological risk factors all play a role in depression in older adults.
Biological risk factors:
- Female gender
- Family history of depression
- Previous history of depression
- Chronic physical illnesses, presence of chronic pain
- Physical disability
- Cognitive impairment
Psychosocial risk factors:
- Single/widowed/divorced
- Social isolation
- Lack of supportive social network
- Lower socioeconomic status
- Stressful/traumatic life events (e.g. abuse or death of loved one)
