There are many risk factors associated with causing depression in the elderly. According to the National Institute Of Aging and Help Guide, some of these factors include but are not limited to:
Genetics/History Of Depression:
- Individuals with a family members who have depression are more likely to develop this mental illness than those without a family history of it.
- If an elderly has had depression when they were younger, they are more prone to the illness later in life than someone who didn’t have depression in their early lives.
- Individuals with depression may have different brain chemistry than someone without the illness.
Social Environment:
- Stressful events- the loss of a loved one or being in a difficult relationship
- Health issues– being ill or disabled; experiencing recurring or severe pain; cognitive decline; damage to body image from surgery or sickness
- Feelings of loneliness, purposelessness and isolation– could result from retirement, decreased mobility, living alone, or a reduced social circle
- Fears– distress over dying; concerns over financial or health issues
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