Depression is associated with distress and suffering and can lead to
impairments in physical, mental, and social functioning (1). The presence of
depressive disorders often adversely affects the course and complicates the
treatment of other chronic diseases (3)—a particular concern among older
adults given the high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions in this age
group. Older adults with depression also visit the doctor and emergency room
more often, use more medication, incur higher outpatient charges, and stay
longer in the hospital (1). Although the rate of older adults with depressive
symptoms tends to increase with age (1), depression should not be considered a
normal part of growing older. Rather, in 80% of cases it is a treatable condition
(3). Because depression is a highly treatable but currently undertreated condition
among community-based older adults, all disease prevention programs for older
adults should include a depression treatment component