Depression knows no age limits. Studies indicate that 15 percent of people over the age of 65 are suffering from depression. In nursing homes and hospitals the percentage of depression in seniors is alot higher.
You may know some elderly people suffering from depression, without even realizing that they are depressed. That's because depression in seniors looks different than it might present in other age groups.
They may not seem unhappy for one thing. But they may be experiencing memory loss and trouble sleeping, which often happens to seniors suffering from depression. They may be low on energy or losing weight. They may be keeping their feelings to themselves, having grown up during an era when talking about feelings just wasn't done.
"Knowing when an older person is depressed can be challenging. But it's important not to overlook or dismiss possible symptoms. Depression can rob a person of happiness, make existing health problems worse or even lead to suicide."
http://www.myoptumhealth.com/portal/Information/item/Depression+Among+the+Elderly?archiveChannel=Home%2FHealth+Hubs%2FType2HealthHub%2FWomen%27s+Health%2FFeature&clicked=true&rss=true