On Course: Depression Is Not A Consequence Of Age
The onset of depression late in life is often assumed by individuals and families to be a natural consequence of the aging process. This is a misunderstanding with potentially tragic consequences, as depression – correctly diagnosed – is one of the most treatable mental illnesses.
~ Gary Moak
Depression Denial Advances With Age
On Many Levels, From Professionals To Family
Geriatric Depression Inquiries - Personal Perspectives
Dr. Moak is a geriatric psychiatrist and author of Beat Depression to Stay Healthier and Live Longer: A Guide For Older Adults And Their Families. He served as past president of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry and was, in 2011, the recipient of its clinician-of-the-year award. He is a practicing geriatric psychiatrist with over thirty years experience treating older adults with a broad range of psychiatric and behavioral problems related to diseases of aging.
Dr. Moak is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Geisel Medical School at Dartmouth, where he serves as Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry at the New Hampshire Hospital. Dr. Moak drives home essential points that every single one of us should consider as we age, and as we serve those who age with us. Depression denial often speeds deterioration. Let's collectively listen up the details on how to identify and correct those challenging consequences of age.                                                                                                                                         
His informative book, which combines medical science with Moak's clinical experience treating thousands of patients and their families, offers insights into depression in the elderly, its relationship to Alzheimer's and other diseases, and treatment for depression in late life, including both self-help and working with health-care professionals.
The Geriatric Depression and Aging Challenge - Denial
Beat Depression challenges beliefs that depression is normal as one advances in age. Instead, Dr. Moak helps readers see that depression is a  biomedical, measurable and treatable brain disease. Moak addresses the impact of depression on specific geriatric health problems and explains how untreated depression doubles the chances of more severe illnesses such as diabetes.
Geriatric Depression Tips & Biology
Moak provides practical guidance and advice for patients and family members about working with healthcare professionals to ensure that sufferers receive adequate treatment for their depression and appropriate medical care for their physical needs. By shedding light on the impact of depression on physical health, Moak spotlights the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of depression and brings much-needed attention to a subject so often overlooked.

Older adults suffer depression because the aging process causes changes in the brain's ability to handle stress and regulate emotions. Unfortunately, these symptoms are often confused and combined by patients and families – and many health-care professionals – with Alzheimer's. "Geriatric mental health specialists are scarce, and the rest of the health-care system doesn't have a clue about the special needs of older patients with mental-health problems," Moak says. "This is why the treatment they receive for depression so often falls short."

Age, too often, is considered hopeless. Without hope, specific directions don't matter.

In both depression and Alzheimer's disease, abnormal functioning of the brain causes disturbances of emotions, behavior, memory, and thinking. "Late-life depression is as much a brain disease a...