Assessment of Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults

Abstract

The prevalence of late-life depression increases as we move from the community to medical settings, home care, and nursing homes. Three percent of older adults in the community, 5–8% of medical outpatients, 11% of medical inpatients, approximately 12% of nursing home residents, and 14% of home-care recipients have major depression. The percentages are even greater in milder forms of depression including dysthymia. Suicide is devastating for the victim's families, friends, and communities. Suicide rates have increased in the past 10 years, with white older men (85 year old or older) at greatest risk. Late-life anxiety contributes to decreased sense of well-being, reduced satisfaction, and increased disability. This chapter provides a brief description on assessment of depression and anxiety in older adults. It describes the most common depressive and anxiety disorders, and highlights certain diagnostic considerations. It also provides updates with reference to the DSM-5 (released in May 2013). In the assessment of anxiety, the clinician has to evaluate the evidence for a realistic threat and the appropriateness and excessiveness of the patient's response to the perceived threat. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)