Assessment and diagnosis of elderly depression

Elderly depression is a common problem seen in primary care in the United States. Unfortunately, primary care practitioners often do not recognize or diagnosis depression in the older population. There are serious negative consequences for the elder whose depression remains untreated. Depression in the elderly has a unique presentation, different from that in the younger population. This article presents information on assessment and differential diagnosis of the depressed elder. The clinical interview is the key piece in the assessment process. Laboratory screening is one part of the diagnostic process that can detect physiologic changes related to depression. An overview of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research guidelines on diagnosing depression in primary care is presented.