Elderly Depression Causes: Understand Them

Posted by Christina Crease

at October 13, 2008

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Significant changes in life and lots of stress is the major cause of depression in elderly people. People who are old, lack of social support, substance abuse problem or have a history of depression are at the highest risk of depression.

Various causes and risk factors that which can result in depression especially in the elderly people include:

Loneliness and isolation – Elder people can’t live their social life properly. Most of the people are living alone due to death of partner, relocation or due to illness etc.
Reduced sense of purpose – After retirement most of the elder people have feeling of purposelessness due to their physical limitation of performing work. They generally got a feeling of loss of identity.
Health problems – They generally suffer from various diseases, chronic or severe pain, long term illness and disability etc.
Medications – Many prescription medications can also trigger depression.
Fears – They always feel the fear of health issues, death and financial problems.