June 2, 2022
Aging is the result of the natural course of time that leads to physiological, possibly psychological, and social changes. In addition to experiencing physiological changes, elderly adults face significant events such as retirement, the death of friends and family members, separation from social activities, and changes in social and economic relations, which affect their mental health, happiness, and compatibility. Estimates suggest that about 18% of adults over age 65 experience depressive symptoms. Depression in older adults can manifest differently than in younger people. Instead of sadness, older adults may experience a numbness or lack of interest in activities as their main symptoms. Additionally, more elderly adults in care facilities report anxiety than those living in a community (3%-20% compared to 1.4%-17%). Both anxiety and depression can reduce quality of life.