Mental health experts tell Lisa Salmon that depression in older adults is just as common as it is in young people, but it can be harder to spot.
Depression can affect anyone, at any age, and older adults are just as likely to experience it as younger people. According to the Mental Health Foundation (MHF), depression is the most common mental health condition in later life, with around one in five older adults five experiencing it.
Alexa Knight, MHF’s director, highlights that more than half of depression cases in older adults are “late onset” meaning the person has never experienced depression before.
“Depression doesn’t discriminate by age,” she says. “While its core symptoms remain similar, older adults often face unique challenges like physical health problems, loneliness, bereavement, and retirement, which can trigger depression.”
With World Suicide Prevention Day approaching on September 10, it’s also important to note the link between depression and suicide. The Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry of the Royal College of Psychiatrists reports that among older people who died by suicide, 71-95% had a major psychiatric disorder, with depression being the most common.
They stress: “Depressive symptoms are the strongest predictor of suicide in older people.”
Research by Bupa found that 79% of people aged 55 and over who are suffering from depression feel like nothing will get better, with 81% saying depression can be invisible, and 70% feel depression isn’t well understood.
Experts also note that depression can be harder to spot in older adults.
Michelle Hinchley, a Bupa specialist mental health nurse, explains: “Depression can affect people of all ages, but in older adults the symptoms may be less obvious.”
“While typical signs include persistent low mood and loss of interest in activities, older people may be more likely to have physical symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances and a loss of appetite.”
She adds that depression in older adults can also occur at the same time as other medical conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart disease, and points out: “It can make those conditions harder to manage, and they can also make depression feel worse.”
Depression is more than just feeling sad for a short period. The NHS stresses that it’s a genuine health condition that involves persistent sadness lasting weeks or months. Supporting this, 74% of over-55s surveyed by Bupa said depression is more than “feeling sad,” and 81% said it’s not something you can simply snap out of.
And although depression can be unrecognised or trivialised in any age group, this can be particularly relevant for older people.
Knight notes that depression in older adults often goes undiagnosed or untreated, with data from 2020/2021 showing just 5% of NHS talking therapy referrals were for people over age 65, despite older adults being just as likely to experience depression and anxiety as younger people.
Hinchley agrees, adding: “Older adults may be less likely to seek help due to stigma or difficulty recognising symptoms, which can lead to delays in diagnosis and support.”
Depression in older adults is sometimes dismissed as a normal reaction to life changes, such as coping with declining physical health, bereavement or retirement.
Hinchley explains: “Older adults can experience depression for the first time in later life. It’s often linked to big life changes like losing a loved one, retiring or health problems, but sometimes there’s no clear reason.
“It can be hard to tell the difference between depression and feelings like grief, boredom or just feeling low. But depression tends to be more persistent and intense, lasting for weeks or months and affecting daily life.”
She further explains that grief comes in waves and boredom may cause restlessness, but neither usually brings the deep emotional pain or physical symptoms associated with depression.
“Just because someone hasn’t had depression before doesn’t mean they won’t in older age,” she stresses. “Spotting it early and offering support can really help with recovery and improve their quality of life.”
How to recognise depression in older adults
For friends and loved ones, recognising depression can be challenging, especially if the person lives alone or is less socially active. Hinchley advises staying connected and regularly checking in.
“Relationships play a vital role in mental wellbeing, and encouraging open conversations about mental health can make a real difference,” she says.
“It might take a few tries to get someone talking, and they may feel more comfortable opening up to a different relative or friend, but what matters is creating space for conversation.”
She says gentle, open-ended questions can help start the conversation, and advises: “When you talk, focus on how they’re feeling, rather than trying to fix things – listening without judgement shows you care, and for someone who’s struggling, that can be a huge relief.”
If the person is open to it, she suggests encouraging them to speak to a health professional, noting that early support can make a significant difference. She stresses that there is a lot of support opinions out there, including helplines, talking therapies and crisis services.
Knight emphasises : “Understanding depression isn’t just about empathy, it’s a vital part of suicide prevention. It’s important that people know how to recognise the signs in themselves and others, and where to get support.”
“It’s important to have open conversations about depression to help tackle stigma and help people to feel comfortable asking for help.”
