Problem-solving therapy focuses on the development of skills to improve the ability to cope with life problems. Randomized trials involving older adults have shown that problem-solving therapy results in greater improvements in depression than usual care or reminiscence therapy, a psychotherapy focusing on the evaluation and reframing of past life events. Problem-solving therapy effectively treats depressive symptoms in older adults with cognitive deficits (specifically, coexisting executive dysfunction),a group that often has a poor response to antidepressant medications.In a trial involving a cognitively impaired population, problem-solving therapy resulted in higher remission rates than supportive therapy (46% vs. 28% at 12 weeks).Problem-solving therapy also results in greater improvement in disability than does supportive therapy, with benefits maintained for at least 24 weeks.