Depression and self-reported disability among older people in Western Europe

To analyze the existing levels of depression among older people (aged 50 or older) with and without disabilities at a European level.

We analyse and compare the levels of depression among people with and without disabilities in 11 Western European countries through the use of the indicator EURO-D. We employ a logistic model for each country to estimate the effects of self-reported disability on the likelihood of being depressed.

Older people with disabilities suffer higher levels of depression as compared with their nondisabled counterparts, especially among women. Furthermore, significant regional differences in the levels of depression are found.

The high prevalence of depression among disabled older individuals is a phenomenon of especial interest and medical, social, and economic relevance within Europe and has important effects on the levels of well-being, employment and income reported by all older people in general, and disabled older people in particular.