This article provides some insight into the clinical presentation of depression among the elderly, along with some management paths pertaining to this common, morbid, and at times potentially lethal syndrome. Diagnosis may be challenging because of complaints frequently related to ageing, comorbidities, and polypharmacy. Nonetheless, diagnosis should be made as early as possible. As first step, we must emphasize the relevance of spending time with seniors, thereby improving their communication skills. Several methods borrowed from cognitive rehabilitation may be proposed thereafter. This article is a summary of the twentieth annual meeting organized by the geriatric service association of the CHU, UCL Namur, Belgium.
Key Words
Depression, elderly, older, clinical presentation, cognitive rehabilitation
What is already known about the topic?
Depression is a common syndrome in the elderly population and has a significant impact in terms of mortality, morbidity, functional decline, quality of life and institutionalization. It is, however, largely underdiagnosed and undertreated.
What does this article bring up for us?
Le défi principal est de poser le diagnostic de la dépression chez la personne âgée. Il existe ensuite plusieurs approches non pharmacologiques efficaces, parfois très simples, pour rendre leur élan vital aux patients âgés souffrant de dépression.