Signs of depression in later life and how to recognise them, according to experts

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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